Polymeric material for an insulated container

ABSTRACT

A formulation includes a base resin, a nucleating agent, and a blowing agent. The formulation can be used to form a container.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/462,073, filed Aug. 18, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/866,741, filed Aug.16, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/949,126, filedMar. 6, 2014, each of which is expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to polymeric materials that can be formedto produce a container, and in particular, polymeric materials thatinsulate. More particularly, the present disclosure relates topolymer-based formulations that can be formed to produce an insulatednon-aromatic polymeric material.

SUMMARY

A polymeric material in accordance with the present disclosure includesa polymeric resin and cell-forming agents. In illustrative embodiments,a blend of polymeric resins and cell-forming agents is extruded orotherwise formed to produce an insulated cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial.

In illustrative embodiments, an insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material produced in accordance with the present disclosurecan be formed to produce an insulative cup or other product.Polypropylene resin is used to form the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material in illustrative embodiments.

In illustrative embodiments, an insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material comprises a polypropylene base resin having a highmelt strength, a polypropylene copolymer or homopolymer (or both), andcell-forming agents including at least one nucleating agent and ablowing agent such as carbon dioxide. In illustrative embodiments, theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material further comprises aslip agent. The polypropylene base resin has a broadly distributedunimodal (not bimodal) molecular weight distribution.

In illustrative embodiments, a polypropylene-based formulation inaccordance with the present disclosure is heated and extruded in twostages to produce a tubular extrudate (in an extrusion process) that canbe sliced to provide a strip of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material. A blowing agent in the form of an inert gas isintroduced into a molten resin in the first extrusion stage inillustrative embodiments.

In illustrative embodiments, an insulative cup is formed using the stripof insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material. The insulativecup includes a body including a sleeve-shaped side wall and a floorcoupled to the body to cooperate with the side wall to form an interiorregion for storing food, liquid, or any suitable product. The body alsoincludes a rolled brim coupled to an upper end of the side wall and afloor mount coupled to a lower end of the side wall and to the floor.

In illustrative embodiments, the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material is configured to provide means for enabling localizedplastic deformation in at least one selected region of the body (e.g.,the side wall, the rolled brim, the floor mount, and a floor-retainingflange included in the floor mount) to provide (1) a plasticallydeformed first material segment having a first density in a firstportion of the selected region of the body and (2) a second materialsegment having a relatively lower second density in an adjacent secondportion of the selected region of the body. In illustrative embodiments,the first material segment is thinner than the second material segment.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and perspective view of a material-formingprocess in accordance with the present disclosure showing that thematerial-forming process includes, from left to right, a formulation ofinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material being placed into ahopper that is fed into a first extrusion zone of a first extruder whereheat and pressure are applied to form molten resin and showing that ablowing agent is injected into the molten resin to form an extrusionresin mixture that is fed into a second extrusion zone of a secondextruder where the extrusion resin mixture exits and expands to form anextrudate which is slit to form a strip of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulative cup made from a strip ofmaterial including the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial of FIG. 1 showing that the insulative cup includes a body and afloor and showing that four regions of the body have been broken away toreveal localized areas of plastic deformation that provide for increaseddensity in those areas while maintaining a predetermined insulativecharacteristic in the body;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a side wallincluded in the body of the insulative cup of FIG. 2 showing that theside wall is made from a sheet that includes, from left to right, a skinincluding a film, an ink layer, and an adhesive layer, and the strip ofinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the insulative cup of FIG. 2showing that the insulative cup includes, from top to bottom, the floorand the body including a rolled brim, the side wall, and a floor mountconfigured to interconnect the floor and the side wall as shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing thatthe side wall included in the body of the insulative cup includes agenerally uniform thickness and that the floor is coupled to the floormount included in the body;

FIGS. 6-9 are a series of views showing first, second, third, and fourthregions of the insulative cup of FIG. 2 that each include localizedplastic deformation;

FIG. 6 is a partial section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showingthe first region is in the side wall of the body;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showingthe second region is in the rolled brim of the body;

FIG. 8 is a partial section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showingthe third region is in a connecting web included in the floor mount ofthe body;

FIG. 9 is a partial section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showingthe fourth region is in a web-support ring included in the floor mountof the body;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing performance over time of exemplaryembodiments of insulative cups in accordance with the present disclosureundergoing temperature testing;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing hot temperature performance over time ofinsulative cups in accordance with the present disclosure undergoingtemperature testing as described in Example 3 Insulation-Hot TestMethod;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing hot temperature performance over time ofinsulative cups in accordance with the present disclosure undergoingtemperature testing as described in Example 3 Insulation-Hot TestMethod;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing cold temperature performance over time ofinsulative cups in accordance with the present disclosure undergoingtemperature testing as described in Example 3 Insulation-Cold TestMethod;

FIG. 14 is a graph showing cold temperature performance over time ofinsulative cups in accordance with the present disclosure undergoingtemperature testing as described in Example 3 Insulation-Cold TestMethod;

FIG. 15 is a photograph of a tray made from the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the external sidewall temperature over timeof a cup tested in Example 6;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the external sidewall temperature over timeof a cup tested in Example 7;

FIG. 18 is a graph showing the external sidewall temperature over timeof a cup tested in Example 8;

FIG. 19 is a graph showing the external sidewall temperature over timeof a cup tested in Example 9; and

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the external sidewall temperature over timeof a cup tested in Example 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material produced inaccordance with the present disclosure can be formed to produce aninsulative cup 10 as suggested in FIGS. 2-9. As an example, theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprises apolypropylene base resin having a high melt strength, a polypropylenecopolymer or homopolymer (or both), and cell-forming agents including atleast one nucleating agent and a blowing agent such as carbon dioxide.As a further example, the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial further comprises a slip agent. The polypropylene base resinhas a broadly distributed unimodal (not bimodal) molecular weightdistribution.

A material-forming process 100 uses a polypropylene-based formulation121 in accordance with the present disclosure to produce a strip 82 ofinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material as shown in FIG. 1.Formulation 121 is heated and extruded in two stages to produce atubular extrudate 124 that can be slit to provide strip 82 of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 1. A blowing agent in the form of a liquefied inert gas isintroduced into a molten resin 122 in the first extrusion zone.

Insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is used to forminsulative cup 10. Insulative cup 10 includes a body 11 having asleeve-shaped side wall 18 and a floor 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.Floor 20 is coupled to body 11 and cooperates with side wall 18 to forman interior region 14 therebetween for storing food, liquid, or anysuitable product. Body 11 also includes a rolled brim 16 coupled to anupper end of side wall 18 and a floor mount 17 interconnecting a lowerend of side wall 18 and floor 20 as shown in FIG. 5.

Insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is configured inaccordance with the present disclosure to provide means for enablinglocalized plastic deformation in at least one selected region of body 11(e.g., side wall 18, rolled brim 16, floor mount 17, and afloor-retaining flange 26 included in floor mount 17) to provide (1) aplastically deformed first material segment having a first density in afirst portion of the selected region of body 11 and (2) a secondmaterial segment having a relatively lower second density in an adjacentsecond portion of the selected region of body 11 as suggested, forexample, in FIGS. 2 and 6-9. In illustrative embodiments, the firstmaterial segment is thinner than the second material segment.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a formulation formanufacturing an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material. Asreferred to herein, an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial refers to an extruded structure having cells formed therein andhas desirable insulative properties at given thicknesses. Another aspectof the present disclosure provides a resin material for manufacturing anextruded structure of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial. Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides anextrudate comprising an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides astructure of material formed from an insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material. A further aspect of the present disclosure providesa container formed from an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial.

In exemplary embodiments, a formulation includes at least two polymericmaterials. In one exemplary embodiment, a primary or base polymercomprises a high melt strength polypropylene that has long chainbranching. In one exemplary embodiment, the polymeric material also hasnon-uniform dispersity. Long chain branching occurs by the replacementof a substituent, e.g., a hydrogen atom, on a monomer subunit, byanother covalently bonded chain of that polymer, or, in the case of agraft copolymer, by a chain of another type. For example, chain transferreactions during polymerization could cause branching of the polymer.Long chain branching is branching with side polymer chain lengths longerthan the average critical entanglement distance of a linear polymerchain. Long chain branching is generally understood to include polymerchains with at least 20 carbon atoms depending on specific monomerstructure used for polymerization. Another example of branching is bycrosslinking of the polymer after polymerization is complete. Some longchain branch polymers are formed without crosslinking. Polymer chainbranching can have a significant impact on material properties.Originally known as the polydispersity index, dispersity is the measuredterm used to characterize the degree of polymerization. For example,free radical polymerization produces free radical monomer subunits thatattach to other free radical monomers subunits to produce distributionsof polymer chain lengths and polymer chain weights. Different types ofpolymerization reactions such as living polymerization, steppolymerization, and free radical polymerization produce differentdispersity values due to specific reaction mechanisms. Dispersity isdetermined as the ratio of weight average molecular weight to numberaverage molecular weight. Uniform dispersity is generally understood tobe a value near or equal to 1. Non-uniform dispersity is generallyunderstood to be a value greater than 2. Final selection of apolypropylene material may take into account the properties of the endmaterial, the additional materials needed during formulation, as well asthe conditions during the extrusion process. In exemplary embodiments,high melt strength polypropylenes may be materials that can hold a gas(as discussed hereinbelow), produce desirable cell size, have desirablesurface smoothness, and have an acceptable odor level (if any).

One illustrative example of a suitable polypropylene base resin isDAPLOY™ WB 140 homopolymer (available from Borealis A/S), a high meltstrength structural isomeric modified polypropylene homopolymer (meltstrength=36, as tested per ISO 16790 which is incorporated by referenceherein, melting temperature=325.4° F. (163° C.) using ISO 11357, whichis incorporated by reference herein).

Borealis DAPLOY™ WB 140 properties (as described in a Borealis productbrochure):

Typical Property Value Unit Test Method Melt Flow Rate (230/2.16) 2.1g/10 min ISO 1133 Flexural Modulus 1900 MPa ISO 178 Tensile Strength atYield 40 MPa ISO 527-2 Elongation at Yield 6 % ISO 527-2 Tensile Modulus2000 MPa ISO 527-2 Charpy impact strength, notched 3.0 kJ/m² ISO 179/1eA(+23° C.) Charpy impact strength, notched 1.0 kJ /m² ISO 179/1eA (−20°C.) Heat Deflection Temperature A 60 ° C. ISO 75-2 (at 1.8 MPa load)Method A Heat Deflection Temperature B 110 ° C. ISO 75-2 (at 0.46 MPaload) Method B

Other polypropylene polymers having suitable melt strength, branching,and melting temperature may also be used. Several base resins may beused and mixed together.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a secondary polymer may be used withthe base polymer. The secondary polymer may be, for example, a polymerwith sufficient crystallinity. The secondary polymer may also be, forexample, a polymer with sufficient crystallinity and melt strength. Inexemplary embodiments, the secondary polymer may be at least onecrystalline polypropylene homopolymer, an impact polypropylenecopolymer, mixtures thereof, or the like. One illustrative example is ahigh crystalline polypropylene homopolymer, available as F020HC fromBraskem. Another illustrative example is an impact polypropylenecopolymer commercially available as PRO-FAX SC204™ (available fromLyndellBasell Industries Holdings, B.V.). Another illustrative exampleis Homo PP—INSPIRE 222, available from Braskem. Another illustrativeexample is the commercially available polymer known as PP 527K,available from Sabic. Another illustrative example is a polymercommercially available as XA-11477-48-1 from LyndellBasell IndustriesHoldings, B.V. In one aspect the polypropylene may have a high degree ofcrystallinity, i.e., the content of the crystalline phase exceeds 51%(as tested using differential scanning calorimetry) at 10° C./mincooling rate. In exemplary embodiments, several different secondarypolymers may be used and mixed together.

In exemplary embodiments, the secondary polymer may be or may includepolyethylene. In exemplary embodiments, the secondary polymer mayinclude low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, highdensity polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers,ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers,polymethylmethacrylate mixtures of at least two of the foregoing and thelike. The use of non-polypropylene materials may affect recyclability,insulation, microwavability, impact resistance, or other properties, asdiscussed further hereinbelow.

One or more nucleating agents are used to provide and control nucleationsites to promote formation of cells, bubbles, or voids in the moltenresin during the extrusion process. Nucleating agent means a chemical orphysical material that provides sites for cells to form in a moltenresin mixture. Nucleating agents may be physical agents or chemicalagents. Suitable physical nucleating agents have desirable particlesize, aspect ratio, top-cut properties, shape, and surfacecompatibility. Examples include, but are not limited to, talc, CaCO₃,mica, kaolin clay, chitin, aluminosilicates, graphite, cellulose, andmixtures of at least two of the foregoing. The nucleating agent may beblended with the polymer resin formulation that is introduced into thehopper. Alternatively, the nucleating agent may be added to the moltenresin mixture in the extruder. When the chemical reaction temperature isreached the nucleating agent acts to enable formation of bubbles thatcreate cells in the molten resin. An illustrative example of a chemicalblowing agent is citric acid or a citric acid-based material. Afterdecomposition, the chemical blowing agent forms small gas cells whichfurther serve as nucleation sites for larger cell growth from physicalblowing agents or other types thereof. One representative example isHydrocerol™ CF-40E™ (available from Clariant Corporation), whichcontains citric acid and a crystal nucleating agent. Anotherrepresentative example is Hydrocerol™ CF-05E™ (available from ClariantCorporation), which contains citric acid and a crystal nucleating agent.In illustrative embodiments one or more catalysts or other reactants maybe added to accelerate or facilitate the formation of cells.

In certain exemplary embodiments, one or more blowing agents may beincorporated. Blowing agent means a physical or a chemical material (orcombination of materials) that acts to expand nucleation sites.Nucleating agents and blowing agents may work together. The blowingagent acts to reduce density by forming cells in the molten resin. Theblowing agent may be added to the molten resin mixture in the extruder.Representative examples of physical blowing agents include, but are notlimited to, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, argon, air, water vapor,pentane, butane, other alkane mixtures of the foregoing and the like. Incertain exemplary embodiments, a processing aid may be employed thatenhances the solubility of the physical blowing agent. Alternatively,the physical blowing agent may be a hydrofluorocarbon, such as1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, also known as R134a, a hydrofluoroolefin,such as, but not limited to, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, also known asHFO-1234ze, or other haloalkane or haloalkane refrigerant. Selection ofthe blowing agent may be made to take environmental impact intoconsideration.

In exemplary embodiments, physical blowing agents are typically gasesthat are introduced as liquids under pressure into the molten resin viaa port in the extruder as suggested in FIG. 1. As the molten resinpasses through the extruder and the die head, the pressure drops causingthe physical blowing agent to change phase from a liquid to a gas,thereby creating cells in the extruded resin. Excess gas blows off afterextrusion with the remaining gas being trapped in the cells in theextrudate.

Chemical blowing agents are materials that degrade or react to produce agas. Chemical blowing agents may be endothermic or exothermic. Chemicalblowing agents typically degrade at a certain temperature to decomposeand release gas. In one aspect the chemical blowing agent may be one ormore materials selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide;azodiisobutyro-nitrile; benzenesulfonhydrazide; 4,4-oxybenzenesulfonylsemicarbazide; p-toluene sulfonyl semi-carbazide; bariumazodicarboxylate; N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dinitrosoterephthalamide;trihydrazino triazine; methane; ethane; propane; n-butane; isobutane;n-pentane; isopentane; neopentane; methyl fluoride; perfluoromethane;ethyl fluoride; 1,1-difluoroethane; 1,1,1-trifluoroethane;1,1,1,2-tetrafluoro-ethane; pentafluoroethane; perfluoroethane;2,2-difluoropropane; 1,1,1-trifluoropropane; perfluoropropane;perfluorobutane; perfluorocyclobutane; methyl chloride; methylenechloride; ethyl chloride; 1,1,1-trichloroethane;1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane; 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane;1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane; 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;trichloromonofluoromethane; dichlorodifluoromethane;trichlorotrifluoroethane; dichlorotetrafluoroethane;chloroheptafluoropropane; dichlorohexafluoropropane; methanol; ethanol;n-propanol; isopropanol; sodium bicarbonate; sodium carbonate; ammoniumbicarbonate; ammonium carbonate; ammonium nitrite;N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dinitrosoterephthalamide;N,N′-dinitrosopentamethylene tetramine; azobisisobutylonitrile;azocyclohexylnitrile; azodiaminobenzene; benzene sulfonyl hydrazide;toluene sulfonyl hydrazide; p,p′-oxybis(benzene sulfonyl hydrazide);diphenyl sulfone-3,3′-disulfonyl hydrazide; calcium azide; 4,4′-diphenyldisulfonyl azide; and p-toluene sulfonyl azide.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, where a chemical blowing agentis used, the chemical blowing agent may be introduced into the resinformulation that is added to the hopper.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the blowing agent may be adecomposable material that forms a gas upon decomposition. Arepresentative example of such a material is citric acid or acitric-acid based material. In one exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure it may be possible to use a mixture of physical and chemicalblowing agents.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one slip agent may beincorporated into the resin mixture to aid in increasing productionrates. Slip agent (also known as a process aid) is a term used todescribe a general class of materials which are added to a resin mixtureand provide surface lubrication to the polymer during and afterconversion. Slip agents may also reduce or eliminate die drool.Representative examples of slip agent materials include amides of fatsor fatty acids, such as, but not limited to, erucamide and oleamide. Inone exemplary aspect, amides from oleyl (single unsaturated C₁₈) througherucyl (C₂₂ single unsaturated) may be used. Other representativeexamples of slip agent materials include low molecular weight amides andfluoroelastomers. Combinations of two or more slip agents can be used.Slip agents may be provided in a master batch pellet form and blendedwith the resin formulation. One example of a slip agent that iscommercially available as AMPACET™ 102109 Slip PE MB. Another example ofa slip agent that is commercially available is AMAPACET™ 102823 ProcessAid PE MB.

One or more additional components and additives optionally may beincorporated, such as, but not limited to, impact modifiers, colorants(such as, but not limited to, titanium dioxide), and compound regrind.One example of a commercially available colorant is COLORTECH®blue-white colorant. Another example of a commercially availablecolorant is COLORTECH® j11 white colorant.

The polymer resins may be blended with any additional desired componentsand melted to form a resin formulation mixture.

In addition to surface topography and morphology, another factor thatwas found to be beneficial to obtain a high quality insulative cup freeof creases was the anisotropy of the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric strip. Aspect ratio is the ratio of the major axis to theminor axis of the cell. As confirmed by microscopy, in one exemplaryembodiment the average cell dimensions in a machine direction 67(machine or along the web direction) of an extruded strip 82 ofinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material was about 0.0362inches (0.92 mm) in width by about 0.0106 inches (0.27 mm) in height. Asa result, a machine direction cell size aspect ratio is about 3.5. Theaverage cell dimensions in a cross direction (cross-web or transversedirection) was about 0.0205 inches (0.52 mm) in width and about 0.0106inches (0.27 mm) in height. As a result, a cross-direction aspect ratiois 1.94. In one exemplary embodiment, it was found that for the strip towithstand compressive force during cup forming, one desirable averageaspect ratio of the cells was between about 1.0 and about 3.0. In oneexemplary embodiment one desirable average aspect ratio of the cells wasbetween about 1.0 and about 2.0.

The ratio of machine direction to cross direction cell length is used asa measure of anisotropy of the extruded strip. In exemplary embodiments,a strip of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material may bebi-axially oriented, with a coefficient of anisotropy ranging betweenabout 1.5 and about 3. In one exemplary embodiment, the coefficient ofanisotropy was about 1.8.

If the circumference of the cup is aligned with machine direction 67 ofextruded strip 82 with a cell aspect ratio exceeding about 3.0, deepcreases with depth exceeding about 200 microns are typically formed oninside surface of the cup making it unusable. Unexpectedly, it wasfound, in one exemplary embodiment, that if the circumference of the cupwas aligned in the cross direction of extruded strip 82, which can becharacterized by cell aspect ratio below about 2.0, no deep creases wereformed inside of the cup, indicating that the cross direction ofextruded strip 82 was more resistant to compression forces during cupformation.

One possible reason for greater compressibility of an extruded stripwith cells having aspect ratio below about 2.0 in the direction of cupcircumference, such as in the cross direction, could be due to lowerstress concentration for cells with a larger radius. Another possiblereason may be that the higher aspect ratio of cells might mean a higherslenderness ratio of the cell wall, which is inversely proportional tobuckling strength. Folding of the strip into wrinkles in the compressionmode could be approximated as buckling of cell walls. For cell wallswith longer length, the slenderness ratio (length to diameter) may behigher. Yet another possible factor in relieving compression stressmight be a more favorable polymer chain packing in cell walls in thecross direction allowing polymer chain re-arrangements under compressionforce. Polymer chains are expected to be preferably oriented and moretightly packed in machine direction 67.

In exemplary embodiments, alignment of the formed cup circumferencealong the direction of the extruded strip has a cell aspect ratio belowabout 2.0. As a result, the surface of extruded strip with crystaldomain size below about 100 angstroms facing inside the cup may providefavorable results of achieving a desirable surface topography withimperfections less than about 5 microns deep.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the polypropylene resin (eitherthe base or the combined base and secondary resin) may have a density ina range of about 0.01 g/cm³ to about 0.19 g/cm³. In one exemplaryembodiment, the density may be in a range of about 0.05 g/cm³ to about0.19 g/cm³. In one exemplary embodiment, the density may be in a rangeof about 0.1 g/cm³ to about 0.185 g/cm³.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, instead of polypropylene as theprimary polymer, a polylactic acid material may be used, such as, butnot limited to, a polylactic acid material derived from a food-basedmaterial, for example, corn starch. In one exemplary embodiment,polyethylene may be used as the primary polymer.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, one formulation for amaterial useful in the formation of an insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material includes the following: at least one primary resincomprising a high melt strength long chain branched polypropylene, atleast one secondary resin comprising a high crystalline polypropylenehomopolymer or an impact copolymer, at least one nucleating agent, atleast one blowing agent, and at least one slip agent. Optionally, acolorant may be incorporated.

The formulation may be introduced into an extruder via a hopper, such asthat shown in FIG. 1. During the extrusion process the formulation isheated and melted to form a molten resin mixture. In exemplaryembodiments, at least one physical blowing agent is introduced into themolten resin mixture via one or more ports in the extruder. The moltenresin mixture and gas is then extruded through a die.

In another exemplary embodiment, the formulation may contain both atleast one chemical blowing agent and at least one physical blowingagent.

Cups or other containers or structures may be formed from the sheetaccording to conventional apparatus and methods.

For the purposes of non-limiting illustration only, formation of a cupfrom an exemplary embodiment of a material disclosed herein will bedescribed; however, the container may be in any of a variety of possibleshapes or structures or for a variety of applications, such as, but notlimited to, a conventional beverage cup, storage container, bottle, orthe like. For the purpose of nonlimiting illustration only, a liquidbeverage will be used as the material which can be contained by thecontainer; however, the container may hold liquids, solids, gels,combinations thereof, or other materials.

A material-forming process 100 is shown, for example, in FIG. 1.Material-forming process 100 extrudes a non-aromatic polymeric materialinto a sheet or strip of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial 82 as suggested in FIG. 1. As an example, material-formingprocess 100 uses a tandem-extrusion technique in which a first extruder111 and a second extruder 112 cooperate to extrude strip of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material 82.

As shown in FIG. 1, a formulation 101 of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material 82 is loaded into a hopper 113 coupledto first extruder 111. The formulation 101 may be in pellet, granularflake, powder, or other suitable form. Formulation 101 of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material is moved from hopper 113 by ascrew 114 included in first extruder 111. Formulation 101 is transformedinto a molten resin 102 in a first extrusion zone of first extruder 111by application of heat 105 and pressure from screw 114 as suggested inFIG. 1. In exemplary embodiments, a physical blowing agent 115 may beintroduced and mixed into molten resin 102 after molten resin 102 isestablished. In exemplary embodiments, as discussed further herein, thephysical blowing agent may be a gas introduced as a pressurized liquidvia a port 115A and mixed with molten resin 102 to form a moltenextrusion resin mixture 103, as shown in FIG. 1.

Extrusion resin mixture 103 is conveyed by screw 114 into a secondextrusion zone included in second extruder 112 as shown in FIG. 1.There, extrusion resin mixture 103 is further processed by secondextruder 112 before being expelled through an extrusion die 116 coupledto an end of second extruder 112 to form an extrudate 104. As extrusionresin mixture 103 passes through extrusion die 116, gas 115 comes out ofsolution in extrusion resin mixture 103 and begins to form cells andexpand so that extrudate 104 is established. As an exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the extrudate 104 may be formed by an annular extrusiondie 116 to form a tubular extrudate. A slitter 117 then cuts extrudate104 to establish a sheet or strip 82 of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material as shown in FIG. 1.

Extrudate means the material that exits an extrusion die. The extrudatematerial may be in a form such as, but not limited to, a sheet, strip,tube, thread, pellet, granule or other structure that is the result ofextrusion of a polymer-based formulation as described herein through anextruder die. For the purposes of illustration only, a sheet will bereferred to as a representative extrudate structure that may be formed,but is intended to include the structures discussed herein. Theextrudate may be further formed into any of a variety of final products,such as, but not limited to, cups, containers, trays, wraps, wound rollsof strips of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material, or thelike.

As an example, strip 82 of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial is wound to form a roll of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material and stored for later use. However, it is within thescope of the present disclosure for strip 82 of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material to be used in-line with the cup-formingprocess. In one illustrative example, strip 82 of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material is laminated with a skin having a filmand an ink layer printed on the film to provide high-quality graphics.

An insulative cup 10 is formed using a strip 82 of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Insulativecup 10 includes, for example, a body 11 having a sleeve-shaped side wall18 and a floor 20 coupled to body 11 to cooperate with the side wall 18to form an interior region 14 for storing food, liquid, or any suitableproduct as shown in FIG. 2. Body 11 also includes a rolled brim 16coupled to an upper end of side wall 18 and a floor mount 17 coupled toa lower end of side wall 18 and to the floor 20 as illustrated in FIGS.2 and 7.

Body 11 is formed from a strip 82 of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material as disclosed herein. In accordance with the presentdisclosure, strip 82 of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial is configured through application of pressure and heat (thoughin exemplary embodiments, configuration may be without application ofheat) to provide means for enabling localized plastic deformation in atleast one selected region of body 11 to provide a plastically deformedfirst sheet segment having a first density located in a first portion ofthe selected region of body 11 and a second sheet segment having asecond density lower than the first density located in an adjacentsecond portion of the selected region of body 11 without fracturing thesheet of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material so that apredetermined insulative characteristic is maintained in body 11.

A first 101 of the selected regions of body 11 in which localizedplastic deformation is enabled by the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material is in sleeve-shaped side wall 18 as suggested inFIGS. 2, 5, and 6. Sleeve-shaped side wall 18 includes an upright innertab 514, an upright outer tab 512, and an upright fence 513 as suggestedin FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. Upright inner tab 514 is arranged to extendupwardly from floor 20 and configured to provide the first sheet segmenthaving the first density in the first 101 of the selected regions ofbody 11. Upright outer tab 512 is arranged to extend upwardly from floor20 and to mate with upright inner tab 514 along an interface Itherebetween as suggested in FIG. 6. Upright fence 513 is arranged tointerconnect upright inner and outer tabs 514, 512 and surround interiorregion 14. Upright fence 513 is configured to provide the second sheetsegment having the second density in the first 101 of the selectedregions of body 11 and cooperate with upright inner and outer tabs 514,513 to form sleeve-shaped side wall 18 as suggested in FIGS. 2-5.

A second 102 of the selected regions of body 11 in which localizedplastic deformation is enabled by the sheet of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material is in rolled brim 16 included in body 11as suggested in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 7. Rolled brim 16 is coupled to anupper end of sleeve-shaped side wall 18 to lie in spaced-apart relationto floor 20 and to frame an opening into interior region 14. Rolled brim16 includes an inner rolled tab 164, an outer rolled tab 162, and arolled lip 163 as suggested in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 7. Inner rolled tab164 is configured to provide the first sheet segment in the second 102of the selected regions of body 11. Inner rolled tab 164 is coupled toan upper end of upright outer tab 512 included in sleeve-shaped sidewall 18. Outer rolled tab 162 is coupled to an upper end of uprightinner tab 514 included in sleeve-shaped side wall 18 and to an outwardlyfacing exterior surface of inner rolled tab 164. Rolled lip 163 isarranged to interconnect oppositely facing side edges of each of innerand outer rolled tabs 164, 162. Rolled lip 163 is configured to providethe second sheet segment having the second density in the second 102 ofthe selected region of body 11 and cooperate with inner and outer rolledtabs 164, 162 to form rolled brim 16 as suggested in FIG. 2.

A third 103 of the selected regions of body 11 in which localizedplastic deformation is enabled by the sheet of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material is in a floor mount included in body 11as suggested in FIGS. 2, 5, and 8. Floor mount 27 is coupled to a lowerend of sleeve-shaped side wall 18 to lie in spaced-apart relation torolled brim 16 and to floor 20 to support floor 20 in a stationaryposition relative to sleeve-shaped side wall 18 to form interior region14. Floor mount 17 includes a web-support ring 126, a floor-retainingflange 26, and a web 25. Web-support ring 126 is coupled to the lowerend of sleeve-shaped side wall 18 and configured to provide the secondsheet segment having the second density in the third 103 of the selectedregions of body 11. Floor-retaining flange 26 is coupled to floor 20 andarranged to be surrounded by web-support ring 126. Web 25 is arranged tointerconnect floor-retaining flange 26 and web-support ring 126. Webb 25is configured to provide the first sheet segment having the firstdensity in the third 103 of the selected regions of body 11.

A fourth 104 of the selected regions of body 11 in which localizedplastic deformation is enabled by the sheet of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material is in floor-retaining flange of floormount 17 as suggested in FIGS. 2, 5, and 9. Floor-retaining flange 26includes an alternating series of upright thick and thin staves arrangedin side-to-side relation to extend upwardly from web 25 toward interiorregion 14 bounded by sleeve-shaped side wall 18 and floor 20. A first261 of the upright thick staves is configured to include a right sideedge extending upwardly from web 25 toward interior region 14. A second262 of the upright thick staves is configured to include a left sideedge arranged to extend upwardly from web 25 toward interior region 14and lie in spaced-apart confronting relation to right side edge of thefirst 261 of the upright thick staves. A first 260 of the upright thinstaves is arranged to interconnect left side edge of the first 261 ofthe upright thick staves and right side edge of the second 262 of theupright thick staves and to cooperate with left and right side edges todefine therebetween a vertical channel 263 opening inwardly into a lowerinterior region bounded by floor-retaining flange 26 and a horizontalplatform 21 included in floor 20 and located above floor-retainingflange 26. The first 260 of the upright thin staves is configured toprovide the first sheet segment in the fourth 104 of the selectedregions of body 11. The first 261 of the upright thick staves isconfigured to provide the second sheet segment in the fourth 104 of theselected regions of the body 11.

The compressibility of the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial used to produce insulative cup 10 allows the insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material to be prepared for themechanical assembly of insulative cup 10, without limitationsexperienced by other non-aromatic polymeric materials. The cellularnature of the material provides insulative characteristics as discussedbelow, while susceptibility to plastic deformation permits yielding ofthe material without fracture. The plastic deformation experienced whenthe insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is subjected toa pressure load is used to form a permanent set in the insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material after the pressure load hasbeen removed. In some locations, the locations of permanent set arepositioned to provide controlled gathering of the sheet of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material.

The plastic deformation may also be used to create fold lines in thesheet to control deformation of the sheet when being worked during theassembly process. When deformation is present, the absence of materialin the voids formed by the deformation provides relief to allow thematerial to be easily folded at the locations of deformation.

A potential unexpected feature of the sheet of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material formed as described herein is the highinsulation value obtained at a given thickness. See, for example,Examples 1 and 2 below.

A potential feature of a cup formed of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure is that the cup has low material loss. Furthermore, thematerial of the present disclosure may have markedly low off-gassingwhen subjected to heat from a conventional kitchen-type microwave ovenfor periods of time up to several minutes.

Another potential feature of a cup formed of the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material according to the present disclosure isthat the cup can be placed in and go through a conventional residentialor commercial dishwasher cleaning cycle (top rack) without noticeablestructural or material breakdown or adverse affect on materialproperties. This is in comparison to beaded expanded polystyrene cups orcontainers which can break down under similar cleaning processes.Accordingly, a cup made according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure can be cleaned and reused.

Another potential feature of an article formed of the insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure is that the article can be recycled. Recyclablemeans that a material can be added (such as regrind) back into anextrusion or other formation process without segregation of componentsof the material, i.e., an article formed of the material does not haveto be manipulated to remove one or more materials or components prior tore-entering the extrusion process. For example, a cup having a printedfilm layer laminated to the exterior of the cup may be recyclable if onedoes not need to separate out the film layer prior to the cup beingground into particles. In contrast, a paper-wrapped expanded polystyrenecup may not be recyclable because the polystyrene material could notpracticably be used as material in forming an expanded polystyrene cup,even though the cup material may possibly be formed into anotherproduct. As a further example, a cup formed from a non-expandedpolystyrene material having a layer of non-styrene printed film adheredthereto may be considered non-recyclable because it would require thesegregation of the polystyrene cup material from the non-styrene filmlayer, which would not be desirable to introduce as part of the regrindinto the extrusion process.

Recyclability of articles formed from the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material of the present disclosure minimizes theamount of disposable waste created. In comparison, beaded expandedpolystyrene cups break up into beads and thus ordinarily cannot easilybe reused in a manufacturing process with the same material from whichthe article was formed. And, paper cups that typically have an extrusioncoated plastic layer or a plastic lamination for liquid resistanceordinarily cannot be recycled because the different materials (paper,adhesive, film, and plastic) normally cannot be practicably separated incommercial recycling operations.

A potential feature of a cup or other article formed of materialaccording to one aspect (a non-laminate process) of the presentdisclosure is that the outside (or inside or both) wall surface of theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polypropylene sheet (prior to beingformed into a cup, or during cup formation, depending on themanufacturing process employed) can accept printing of high-resolutiongraphics. Conventional beaded expanded polystyrene cups have a surfacewhich typically is not smooth enough to accept printing other thanlow-resolution graphics. Similarly, known uncoated paper cups alsotypically do not have a smooth enough surface for such high-resolutiongraphics. Paper cups can be coated to have the desired surface finishand can achieve high resolution. Paper has difficulty reachinginsulation levels and requires a designed air gap incorporated into orassociated with the cup to achieve insulation, such as a sleeve slidonto and over a portion of the cup. Accordingly, solutions have been touse low-resolution printing, laminate to the outside wall a film whichhas been printed, or to have a printed sleeve (either bonded orremovable) inserted over the outside wall or coat the paper to accepthigh resolution graphics.

A potential feature of a cup formed of the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is that it possesses unexpected strength as measured byrigidity. Rigidity is a measurement done at room temperature and at anelevated temperature (e.g., by filling the cup with a hot liquid), at alowered temperature (e.g., by filling the cup with cold liquid), andmeasuring the rigidity of the material. The strength of the cup materialis important to reduce the potential for the cup being deformed by auser and the lid popping off or the lid or sidewall seal leaking.

A potential feature of a cup formed of the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material according to the present disclosure isthat the sleeve is resistant to puncture, such as by a straw, fork,spoon, finger nail, or the like, as measured by standard impact testing,as described hereinbelow. Test materials demonstrated substantiallyhigher impact resistance when compared to a beaded expanded polystyrenecup. Accordingly, a cup formed as described herein can reduce thelikelihood of puncture and leakage of hot liquid onto a user.

A feature of a cup with a compressed brim and seam formed of thematerial according to one aspect as described herein is that a greaternumber of such cups can be nested in a given sleeve length because theseam is thinner and the side wall angle can be minimized (i.e., moreapproaching 90° with respect to the cup bottom) while providing asufficient air gap to permit easy de-nesting. Conventionally seam-formedcups having a seam substantially thicker than the side wall requires agreater side wall angle (and air gap) to allow for de-nesting, resultingin fewer cups being able to be nested in a given sleeve length.

A feature of a cup formed of the material according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure is that the brim may have a cross-section profile ofless than about 0.170 inches (4.318 mm) which may be due to localizedcell deformation and compression. Such a small profile is moreaesthetically pleasing than a larger profile.

A feature of a cup formed of the material according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure is that the rolled brim diameter can be the same forcups of different volumes, enabling one lid size to be used fordifferent cup sizes, assuming the cup rims outside diameters are thesame. As a result, the number of different size lids in inventory and atthe point of use may be reduced.

The material formulation may have properties that allow the sheet to becompressed without fracturing.

A potential feature of a cup formed of the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is that the cup may expel physical blowing agents in the formof gas and undergo gas exchange with ambient to fill in foam cell voids.As a result, blowing agents or mixture of blowing agents may bedetected.

A potential feature of a cup formed of the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is that the cup may undergo crystallization curing due tocooling with ambient air and environment. As a result, cup rigidity willincrease with unexpected strength.

The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material of the presentdisclosure may be formed into a strip which can be wrapped around otherstructures. For example, a strip of the material according to one aspectof the present disclosure that can be used as a wrapping material may beformed and wrapped around a pipe, conduit, or other structure to provideimproved insulation. The sheet or strip may have a layer of adhesive,such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, applied to one or both faces. Thestrip may be wound onto a roll. Optionally, the strip may have a releaseliner associated therewith to make unwinding the strip from the rolleasier. The polymer formulation may be adapted to provide the requisiteflexibility to form a wrap or windable strip, for example, by using oneor more polypropylene or other polyolefin materials that have sufficientflexibility to enable the extruded sheet to be flexible enough to bewound onto a roll. The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial may be formed into a sleeve that can be inserted over a cup toprovide additional insulation.

In exemplary embodiments, sheets formed from the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material of the present disclosure may be cut atthe die or be flaked and used as a bulk insulator.

The formulation and insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric materialof the present disclosure satisfies a long-felt need for a material thatcan be formed into an article, such as a cup, that includes many if notall of the features of insulative performance, ready for recyclability,puncture resistance, frangibility resistance, microwavability and otherfeatures as discussed herein. Others have failed to provide a materialthat achieves combinations of these features as reflected in theappended claims. This failure is a result of the features beingassociated with competitive design choices. As an example, others havecreated materials and structures therefrom that based on design choicesare insulated but suffer from poor puncture resistance, inability toeffectively be recyclable, and lack microwavability. In comparison, theformulations and materials disclosed herein overcome the failures ofothers by using an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material.Reference is hereby made to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/491,007 filedJun. 7, 2012 and entitled INSULATED CONTAINER for disclosure relating toarticles, such as cups, formed from such insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric materials, which application is herebyincorporated in its entirety herein.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure to select an amount ofa nucleating agent to be one of the following values: about 0%, 0.5%,1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of the total formulation of thepolymeric layer by weight percentage. It is also within the scope of thepresent disclosure for the weight percentage (w/w) of a nucleatingagent, such as talc (e.g., HT4HP or HT6HP), to fall within one of manydifferent ranges. In a first set of ranges, the weight percentage of anucleating agent is one of the following ranges: about 0.1% to 20%(w/w), 0.25% to 20%, 0.5% to 20%, 0.75% to 20%, 1% to 20%, 1.5% to 20%,2% to 20%, 2.5% to 20%, 3% to 20%, 4% to 20%, 4.5% to 20%, and 5% to20%. In a second set of ranges, the range of a nucleating agent is oneof the following ranges: about 0.1% to 10%, 0.25% to 10%, 0.5% to 10%,0.75% to 10%, 1% to 10%, 1.5% to 10%, 2% to 10%, 3% to 10%, 4% to 10%,and 5% to 10% of the total formulation of the polymeric layer by weightpercentage. In a third set of ranges, the range of a nucleating agent isone of the following ranges: about 0.1% to 5%, 0.25% to 5%, 0.5% to 5%,0.75% to 5%, 1% to 5%, 1.5% to 5%, 2% to 5%, 2.5% to 5%, 3% to 5%, 3.5%to 5%, 4% to 5%, and 4.5% to 5% of the total formulation of thepolymeric layer by weight percentage. In an embodiment, the polymericmaterial lacks a nucleating agent.

The amount of a chemical blowing agent may be one of several differentvalues or fall within one of several different ranges. It is within thescope of the present disclosure to select an amount of a chemicalblowing agent to be one of the following values: about 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%,0.75%, 1%, 1.5%, or 2% of the total formulation of the polymeric layerby weight percentage. It is within the scope of the present disclosurefor the amount of a physical nucleating agent in the formulation to fallwithin one of many different ranges. In a first set of ranges, the rangeof a chemical blowing agent is one of the following ranges: about 0% to5%, 0.1% to 5%, 0.25% to 5%, 0.5% to 5%, 0.75% to 5%, 1% to 5%, 1.5% to5%, 2% to 5%, 3% to 5%, and 4% to 5% of the total formulation of thepolymeric layer by weight percentage. In a second set of ranges, therange of a chemical blowing agent is one of the following ranges: about0.1% to 4%, 0.1% to 3%, 0.1% to 2%, and 0.1% to 1% of the totalformulation by weight percentage. In a third set of ranges, the range ofa chemical blowing agent is one of the following ranges: about 0.25% to4%, 0.75% to 4%, 1% to 4%, 1.5% to 4%, 2% to 4%, 3% to 4%, 0% to 3%,0.25% to 3%, 0.5% to 3%, 0.75% to 3%, 1% to 3%, 1.5%, to 3%, 2% to 3%,0% to 2%, 0.25% to 2%, 0.5%, to 2%, 0.75% to 2%, 1% to 2%, 1.5% to 2%,0% to 1%, 0.5% to 1%, and 0.75% to 1% of the total formulation of thepolymeric layer by weight percentage. In one aspect of the presentdisclosure, where a chemical blowing agent is used, the chemical blowingagent may be introduced into the material formulation that is added tothe hopper.

The amount of a slip agent may be one of several different values orfall within one of several different ranges. It is within the scope ofthe present disclosure to select an amount of a slip agent to be one ofthe following values: about 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9%, or 10% of the total formulation of the polymeric layer by weightpercentage. It is within the scope of the present disclosure for theamount of a slip agent in the formulation to fall within one of manydifferent ranges. In a first set of ranges, the range of a slip agent isone of the following ranges: about 0% to 10% (w/w), 0.5% to 10%, 1% to10%, 2% to 10%, 3% to 10%, 4% to 10%, 5% to 10%, 6% to 10%, 7% to 10%,8% to 10%, and 9% to 10% of the total formulation of the polymeric layerby weight percentage. In a second set of ranges, the range of a slipagent is one of the following ranges: about 0% to 9%, 0% to 8%, 0% to7%, 0% to 6%, 0% to 5%, 0% to 4%, 0% to 3%, 0% to 2%, 0% to 1%, and 0%to 0.5% of the total formulation of the polymeric layer by weightpercentage. In a third set of ranges, the range of a slip agent is oneof the following ranges: about 0.5% to 5%, 0.5% to 4%, 0.5% to 3%, 0.5%,to 2%, 1% to 2%, 1% to 3%, 1% to 4%, 1% to 5%, 2% to 3%, 2% to 4%, and2% to 5% of the total formulation by weight percentage. In anembodiment, the formulation lacks a slip agent.

The amount of a colorant may be one of several different values or fallwithin one of several different ranges. It is within the scope of thepresent disclosure to select an amount of a colorant to be one of thefollowing values: about 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1%,1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, or 20% of the totalformulation of the polymeric layer by weight percentage. It is withinthe scope of the present disclosure for the amount of a colorant in theformulation to fall within one of many different ranges. In a first setof ranges, the range of a colorant is one of the following ranges: about0% to 20% (w/w), 0% to 10%, 0% to 5%, and 0% to 4%. In a second set ofranges, the range of a colorant is one of the following ranges: about0.1% to 4%, 0.25% to 4%, 0.5% to 4%, 0.75% to 4%, 1% to 4%, 1.5% to 4%,2% to 4%, 2.5% to 4%, and 3% to 4% of the total formulation of thepolymeric layer by weight percentage. In a third set of ranges, therange of a colorant is one of the following ranges: about 0% to 3%, 0%to 2.5%, 0% to 2.25%, 0% to 2%, 0% to 1.5%, 0% to 1%, 0% to 0.5%, 0.1%to 3.5%, 0.1% to 3%, 0.1% to 2.5%, 0.1% to 2%, 0.1% to 1.5%, 0.1% to 1%,1% to 5%, 1% to 10%, 1% to 15%, 1% to 20%, and 0.1% to 0.5% of the totalformulation by weight percentage. In an embodiment, the formulationlacks a colorant.

In illustrative embodiments, a polymeric material includes a primarybase resin. In illustrative embodiments, a base resin may includepolypropylene. In illustrative embodiments, an insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material comprises a polypropylene base resinhaving high melt strength, a polypropylene copolymer or homopolymer (orboth). It is within the scope of the present disclosure to select anamount of base resin to be one of the following values: about 50%, 55%,60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%,94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, and 99.9% of the total formulationof the polymeric layer by weight percentage. It is within the presentdisclosure for the amount of base resin in the formulation to fallwithin one of many different ranges. In a first set of ranges, the rangeof base resin is one of the following ranges: about 50% to 99.9%, 70% to99.9%, 80% to 99.9%, 85% to 99.9%, 90% to 99.9%, 95% to 99.9%, 98% to99.9%, and 99% to 99.9% of the total formulation of the polymeric layerby weight percentage. In a second set of ranges, the range of base resinis one of the following ranges: about 85% to 99%, 85% to 98%, 85% to95%, and 85% to 90% of the total formulation of the polymeric layer byweight percentage. In a third set of ranges, the range of base resin isone of the following ranges: about 50% to 99%, 50% to 95%, 50% to 85%,55% to 85%, 80% to 90%, 80% to 95%, 90% to 99%, and 95% to 98% of thetotal formulation by weight percentage. Each of these values and rangesis embodied in Examples 1 to 12. As defined hereinbefore, any suitableprimary base resin may be used.

In illustrative embodiments, a polymeric material includes a secondaryresin, wherein the secondary resin can be a polypropylene copolymer orhomopolymer (or both). It is within the present disclosure for an amountof secondary base resin in the formulation to fall within one of manydifferent ranges. In a first set of ranges, the range of base resin isone of the following ranges: about 0% to 50%, 0% to 30%, 0% to 25%, 0%to 20%, 0% to 15%, 0% to 10%, and 0% to 5% of the total formulation ofthe polymeric layer by weight percentage. In a second set of ranges, therange of secondary base resin is one of the following ranges: about 10%to 50%, 10% to 40%, 10% to 30%, 10% about 25%, 10% to 20%, and 10% to15% of the total formulation of the polymeric layer by weightpercentage. In a third set of ranges, the range of secondary base resinis one of the following ranges: about 1% to 5% and 5% to 10% of thetotal formulation by weight percentage. In an embodiment, a polymericmaterial lacks a secondary resin. In a particular embodiment, asecondary resin can be a high crystalline polypropylene homopolymer,such as F020HC (available from Braskem) or PP 527K (available fromSabic). In an embodiment, a polymeric material lacks a secondary resin.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are set forth for purposes of illustration only.Parts and percentages appearing in such examples are by weight unlessotherwise stipulated. All ASTM, ISO and other standard test method citedor referred to in this disclosure are incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Example 1 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140 polypropylene homopolymer (available from Borealis A/S)was used as the polypropylene base resin. F020HC, available fromBraskem, a polypropylene homopolymer resin, was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ as aprimary nucleation agent, talc as a secondary nucleation agent, CO₂ as ablowing agent, a slip agent, and titanium dioxide as a colorant.Percentages were:

79.9% Primary resin: high melt strength polypropylene Borealis WB 140HMS

15% Secondary resin: F020HC (Braskem)

0.1% Primary nucleating agent: Clamant Hyrocerol CF-40E™

2% Secondary nucleating agent: Talc

1% Colorant: TiO₂ PE (alternatively, PP can be used)

2% Slip agent: Ampacet™ 102823 LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene),available from Ampacet Corporation

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was added

1.1 lbs/hr CO₂

0.7 lbs/hr R134a.

The carbon dioxide with R134a was injected into the resin blend toexpand the resin and reduce density. The mixture thus formed wasextruded through a die head into a sheet. The sheet was then cut andformed into a cup.

Example 1 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 1 showedthe material had a density of about 0.1902 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.089 inches (2.2606 mm).

Microwavability

Containers produced using this material filled with 12 ounces of roomtemperature water were heated in a FISO Microwave Station (1200 Watts)microwave oven for 2.5 min without burning or scorching or other visibleeffect on the cup. In comparison, paper cups heated in the samemicrowave oven scorched or burned in less than 90 seconds.

Rigidity

Test Method

Samples were at 73° F. (22.8° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the rim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance is0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.064 inches (1.6256 mm),average density of about 0.1776 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about9.86 g, the rigidity of the material is shown below in Tables 1-2.

TABLE 1 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage unlidded/unfilled 1 0.64 0.654 0.647 2 0.646 0.672 0.659 3 0.6320.642 0.637 4 0.562 0.608 0.585 5 0.652 0.596 0.624 0.630 STD DEV 0.0283 sigma 0.085 High Range 0.716 Low Range 0.545 lidded/unfilled 6 0.890.83 0.860 7 0.954 0.904 0.929 8 0.846 0.808 0.827 9 0.732 0.826 0.77910 0.87 0.792 0.831 0.845 STD DEV 0.055 3 sigma 0.165 High Range 1.011Low Range 0.680 unlidded/filled 200° F. 11 0.274 0.290 0.282 12 0.2780.326 0.302 13 0.264 0.274 0.269 14 0.300 0.270 0.285 15 0.252 0.2800.266 0.281 STD DEV 0.014 3 sigma 0.043 High Range 0.324 Low Range 0.238lidded/filled 200° F. 16 0.346 0.354 0.350 17 0.386 0.422 0.404 18 0.3580.364 0.361 19 0.338 0.374 0.356 20 0.304 0.272 0.288 0.352 STD DEV0.042 3 sigma 0.125 High Range 0.476 Low Range 0.227 unlidded/filled icewater 21 0.796 0.730 0.763 22 0.818 0.826 0.822 23 0.894 0.760 0.827 240.776 0.844 0.810 25 0.804 0.714 0.759 0.796 STD DEV 0.033 3sigma 0.098High Range 0.894 Low Range 0.698 lidded/filled ice water 26 1.044 0.8920.968 27 1.146 1.018 1.082 28 0.988 1.054 1.021 29 1.012 1.106 1.059 300.826 1.058 0.942 1.014 STD DEV 0.059 3 sigma 0.177 High Range 1.192 LowRange 0.837

TABLE 2 Summary of Rigidity Test Results in Table 1 Unfilled Kg-F HotFill 200° F. Ice Water Fill 35° F. Wall (kilograms-force) Kg-F Kg-FThickness Density Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Inchesg/cc Test material 0.630 0.845 0.281 0.352 0.796 1.014 0.064 0.1776Insulation

Test Method

A typical industrial cup insulation test method as follows was used:

-   -   Attach the (cup exterior) surface temperature thermocouple to        the cup with glue.    -   Tape attached thermocouple to cup with cellophane tape so that        the thermocouple is in the middle of the cup opposite the seam.    -   Heat water or other aqueous liquid to near boiling, such as in a        microwave.    -   Continually stir the hot liquid with a bulb thermometer while        observing the liquid temperature.    -   Record thermocouple temperature.    -   When the liquid gets to 200° F. (93.3° C.) pour into the cup to        near full.    -   Place lid on the cup.    -   Record surface temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Material thickness was about 0.089 inches (2.2606 mm). The density wasabout 0.1902 g/cm³.

A cup formed from the formulation noted above was used having a densityof about 0.190 g/cm³ and a wall thickness of about 0.089 inches. A hotliquid at 200° F. was placed in the cup.

Test Results

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup was about 140.5°F. (60.3° C.) resulting in drop of about 59.5° F. (33° C.). The maximumtemperature over a 5-minute period was observed to peak at about 140.5°F. (60.3° C.). The lower the temperature, the better the insulationproperty of the cup material as the material reduces the heattransferring from the liquid to the cup material exterior.

Frangibility

Frangibility can be defined as resistance to tear or punctures causingfragmentation.

Test Method

The Elmendorf test method described in ASTM D1922-93 was used. Theradius of tear was 1.7 inches (43.18 mm).

Test Results

The test results are shown in Tables 3-4 below. The material as formedin one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides superiorresistance to tear forces when compared to EPS.

TABLE 3 Test Results Machine Direction (gram force) Transverse Direction(gram force) Test Test Test Test Test std Test Test Test Test Test stdTag 1 2 3 4 5 mean dev. 1 2 3 4 5 mean dev. Test 288 262 288 258 315 28223 232 213 178 205 232 212 23 Material EPS 108 114 112 116 110 112  3 *

TABLE 4 Summary of Test Results in Table 3 Test material cup TearStrength Sample ID → (mean) Elmendorf Tear machine direction (MD) Arm g(gram) 800 Elmendorf Tear MD gf (gram force) 282 Elmendorf Teartransverse direction (TD) Arm g 800 Elmendorf Tear TD gf 212 Expandedpolystyrene Tear Strength (mean) Elmendorf Tear Arm 800 Elmendorf Tear112

Note that there was no data obtained for the transverse direction testfor expanded polystyrene because expanded polystyrene does not have amaterial orientation, i.e., a machine or transverse direction, due tothe manufacturing process. The range (calculated as: lowerrange=mean−(3×std dev); upper range=mean+(3×std dev)) for the testedmaterial of the present disclosure was about 213 grams-force to about351 grams-force in the machine direction and about 143 grams-force toabout 281 grams-force in the transverse direction. In comparison, therange of the expanded polystyrene material tested was about 103grams-force to about 121 grams-force.

Puncture Resistance

Test Method

Determine the force and travel needed to puncture cup sidewall andbottom. An Instron instrument is used in compression mode set to 10inches (254 mm) per minute travel speed. The cup puncture test fixtureon base of Instron is used. This fixture allows the cup to fit over ashape that fits inside the cup with a top surface that is perpendicularto the travel of the Instron tester. The one inch diameter hole of thefixture should be positioned up. The portion of the Instron that movesshould be fitted with a 0.300 inch (7.62 mm) diameter punch. The punchwith the hole is aligned in the test fixture. The cup is placed over thefixture and the force and travel needed to puncture the cup sidewall isrecorded. The sidewall puncture test is repeated in three evenly spacedlocations while not puncture testing on the seam of the cup. The bottomof the cup is tested. This should be done in the same manner as thesidewall test except no fixture is used. The cup is just placed upsidedown on the base of the Instron while bringing the punch down on thecenter of the cup bottom.

Test Results

Results of the typical sidewall puncture and the bottom puncture areshown in Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Puncture Test Results Cavity # Max Load (lbf) Ext. @ Max Load(in) Expanded polystyrene 3.79 0.300 tested insulative cellular 22.180.292 non-aromatic polymeric material (No Rim)Slow Puncture Resistance—Straw

Test Method

The material as formed in one exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure provides superior resistance to punctures when compared toexpanded polystyrene using the Slow Puncture Resistance Test Method asdescribed in ASTM D-3763-86. The test results are shown in Tables 6-9below.

Test Results

TABLE 6 Tested Material Peak Elongation At Specimen # Load g(f) Break(mm) 1 13876.49 — 2 13684.33 — 3 15121.53 — 4 15268.95 17 5 14970.47 206 13049.71 — 7 15648.44 17 8 15352.38 23 9 18271.37 — 10 16859.29 — Mean15210.30 19 Std. Dev. 1532.83 3

TABLE 7 Comparison: Expanded Polystyrene Peak Elongation At Specimen #Load g(f) Break (mm) 1 2936.73 — 2 2870.07 10 3 2572.62 — 4 2632.44 — 52809.70 — 6 2842.93 — 7 2654.55 — 8 2872.96 — 9 2487.63 — 10 2866.53 —11 2803.25 — 12 2775.22 — 13 2834.28 — 14 2569.97 — Mean 2752.06 10 Std.Dev. 140.42 —

TABLE 8 Paper Wrapped Expanded Polystyrene Peak Elongation At Specimen #Load g(f) Break (mm) 1 7930.61 — 2 10044.30 — 3 9849.01 — 4 8711.44 — 59596.79 — 6 9302.99 — 7 10252.27 — 8 7785.64 — 9 8437.28 — 10 6751.98 —11 9993.19 — Mean 8968.68 — Std. Dev. 1134.68 —

TABLE 9 Summary of Slow Puncture-Straw Test Results in Tables 6-8 Testedinsulative Expanded Paper wrapped cellular non-aromatic polystyreneexpanded poly- Sample polymeric material cup (mean) grams- styrene(mean) ID → (mean) grams-force (gf) force (gf) grams-force (gf) Averagegf: 15210 2752 8969

Example 2 Formulation and Extrusion

The following formulation was used:

-   -   81.70% Borealis WB 140HMS primary polypropylene    -   0.25% Amco A18035 PPRO talc filled concentrate    -   2% Ampacet 102823 Process Aid PE MB linear low density        polyethylene slip agent    -   0.05% Hydrocerol CF-40E chemical foaming agent    -   1% Colortech 11933-19 colorant    -   15% Braskem F020HC high crystallinity homopolymer polypropylene    -   3.4 lbs/hour of CO₂ was introduced into the molten resin.

Density of the strip formed ranged from about 0.155 g/cm³ to about 0.182g/cm³.

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was addedthe CO₂ to expand the resin and reduce density. The mixture thus formedwas extruded through a die head into a strip 82. The strip was then cutand formed into insulative cup 10.

Example 2 Test Results

In exemplary embodiments, a tube of extruded insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material has two surfaces that are formed underdifferent cooling conditions when the material is extruded. One surface,which will be further referenced as the outside surface of extrudedtube, is in contact with air, and does not have physical barriersrestricting the expansion. The outside surface of extruded tube surfaceis cooled by blowing compressed air at cooling rate equal or higher than12° F. per second. Surface on the opposite side will be referenced asinside of extruded tube. The inside of extruded tube surface is formedwhen the extruded tube is drawn in the web or machine direction on themetal cooling surface of the torpedo mandrel that is physicallyrestricting the inside of extruded tube and is cooled by combination ofwater and compressed air at a cooling rate below 10° F. per second. Inexemplary embodiments, the cooling water temperature is about 135° F.(57.22° C.). In exemplary embodiments, the cooling air temperature isabout 85° F. (29.44° C.). As a result of different cooling mechanisms,the outside surface of extruded tube and inside surface of extruded tubehave different surface characteristics. It is known that the coolingrate and method affects the crystallization process of polypropylenealtering its morphology (size of crystal domains) and topography(surface profile and smoothness).

An unexpected feature of exemplary embodiments of an extruded sheet asdescribed herein is in the ability of the sheet to form a noticeablysmooth, crease and wrinkle free surface, when curved to form a roundarticle, such as cup. The surface is smooth and wrinkle free even insidethe cup, where compression forces typically cause material to crushcrease easily, especially for low density material with large cell size.In exemplary embodiments, the smoothness of the surface of an extrudedsheet of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material as detectedby microscopy is such that the depth of the indentations (creases orwrinkles) naturally occurring in the outside and inside of the cupsurface when it is subject to extension and compression forces duringcup formation may be less than about 100 microns. In one exemplaryembodiment, the smoothness may be less than about 50 microns. In oneexemplary embodiment, the smoothness may be about 5 microns or less. Atabout 10 microns depth and less, the micro-wrinkles on cup surface areordinarily not visible to the naked eye.

In one exemplary embodiment, an insulative cup formed from a sheetcomprising a skin and a strip of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material had typical creases (deep wrinkle) about 200 micronsdeep extending from the top to bottom of the cup. In one exemplaryembodiment, an insulative cup formed from a sheet comprising a strip ofinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material only (without askin) had typical creases about 200 microns deep extending from top tobottom of the cup. Such creases with depths from about 100 microns toabout 500 microns are typically formed when inside of extruded tube isfacing inside of the cup in a compression mode. Creases and deepwrinkles may present a problem of unsatisfactory surface quality makingfinal cups unusable or undesirable. Creases may form in instances wheresheets include a skin or exclude a skin.

In exemplary embodiments, the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial may be extruded as strip. However microscopy images show thattwo distinct layers exist within the extruded strip, namely, dulloutside extruded tube layer and shiny inside extruded tube layer. Thedifference between the two layers is in reflectance of the surface dueto the difference in crystal domain size. If a black marker is used tocolor the surface examined by microscope, reflectance is eliminated andthe difference between the two surfaces may be minimal or undetectable.

In one exemplary embodiment, a sample strip was prepared without anyskin. Black marker was used to eliminate any difference in reflectancebetween the layers. Images showed that the cell size and celldistribution was the same throughout the strip thickness. A crease ofabout 200 microns deep was seen as a fold in the surface where the cellwall collapsed under the compression forces.

Differential scanning calorimetry analysis conducted on a TA InstrumentsDSC 2910 in nitrogen atmosphere showed that with an increase in coolingrate, the crystallization temperature and crystallinity degree decreasedfor the polymer matrix material of the strip, as shown below in Table10.

TABLE 10 Crystallization of polymer matrix Crystallization temp, in ° C.Crystallinity degree, in % Slow Fast Slow Fast cooling cooling coolingcooling 5° C./min 10° C./min 15° C./min 5° C./min 10° C./min 15° C./min135.3 131.5 129.0 49.2 48.2 47.4 Melting (2^(nd) heat) of polymer matrix(heating rate 10° C./min) after crystallization Melting temp, ° C.Crystallinity degree, % Slow Fast Slow Fast cooling cooling coolingcooling 5° C./min 10° C./min 15° C./min 5° C./min 10° C./min 15° C./min162.3 162.1 161.8 48.7 47.2 46.9

Differential scanning calorimetry data demonstrates the dependence ofcrystallization and subsequent 2^(nd) heat melting temperature andpercent crystallinity on the rate of cooling during crystallization.Exemplary embodiments of a strip of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material may have the melting temperature between about 160°C. (320° F.) and about 172° C. (341.6° F.), crystallization temperaturebetween about 108° C. (226.4° F.) and about 135° C. (275° F.), andpercent crystallinity between about 42% and about 62%.

In exemplary embodiments, the extruded sheet as determined bydifferential scanning calorimetry at 10° C. per minute heating andcooling rate had a melting temperature of about 162° C. (323.6° F.),crystallization temperature of about 131° C. (267.8° F.) andcrystallinity degree of about 46%.

It was found unexpectedly that the outside extrusion tube surface worksfavorably in a compression mode without causing appreciable creasing andtherefore a cup (or other structure) may advantageously be made with theoutside extrusion tube surface facing inside of the insulative cup. Thedifference in the resistance of the inside extrusion tube layer andoutside extrusion tube layer to compression force may be due todifference in the morphology of the layers because they werecrystallized at different cooling rates.

In exemplary embodiments of formation of an extruded sheet, the insideextrusion tube surface may be cooled by combination of water cooling andcompressed air. The outside extrusion tube surface may be cooled bycompressed air by using torpedo with circulating water and air outlet.Faster cooling rates may result in the formation of smaller sizecrystals. Typically, the higher the cooling rate, the greater therelative amount of smaller crystals that are formed. X-Ray diffractionanalysis of an exemplary extruded sheet of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material was conducted on Panalytical X'pert MPDPro diffractometer using Cu radiation at 45 KV/40 mA. It was confirmedthat the outside extrusion tube surface had a crystal domain size ofabout 99 angstroms, while the inside extrusion tube surface had acrystal domain size of about 114 angstroms. In exemplary embodiments, anextruded strip of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric materialmay have a crystal domain size below about 200 angstroms. In exemplaryembodiments, an extruded strip of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material may have a crystal domain size preferably below about115 angstroms. In exemplary embodiments, an extruded strip of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material may have a crystal domain sizebelow about 100 angstroms.

Rigidity

Test Method

The test method is the same as described for rigidity testing in Example1.

Test Results

The rigidity test results are shown in Table 11 below.

TABLE 11 unlidded/filled 200° F. lidded/filled 200° F. Rigidity (kg-F)Rigidity (kg-F) Sam- 90° 90° Wall ple from Aver- from Aver- Gram Thick-# Seam Seam age Seam Seam age Weights ness B1 0.354 0.380 0.367 0.4700.528 0.499 12.6 0.0744 B2 0.426 0.464 0.445 0.598 0.610 0.604 13.0 B30.526 0.494 0.510 0.628 0.618 0.623 12.4 B4 0.592 0.566 0.579 0.7400.746 0.743 13.2 12.80 0.475 0.617 Density 0.1817Insulation

Test Method—Wall Temperature

An insulative cup formed from the formulation noted above was usedhaving a density of about 0.18 g/cm³ and a wall thickness of about 0.074inches (1.8796 mm). A hot liquid at 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in thecup.

Test Results

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup was about 151°F. (66.1° C.) with a drop of about 49.0° F. (27.2° C.). The maximumtemperature over a five-minute period was observed to peak at about 151°F. (66.1° C.).

Insulation testing in the form of thermal conductivity was done.

Test Method—Thermal Conductivity

This test measures bulk thermal conductivity (W/m-K), measured atambient temperature and at 93° C. (199.4° F.). A ThermTest TPS 2500 SThermal Constants Analyzer instrument was used, employing the testmethod of ISO/DIS 22007-2.2 and using the Low Density/High Insulatingoption. The TPS sensor #5501 0.2521 inch radius (6.403 mm radius) withKapton® insulation was used for all measurements. A 20 second test wasdone, using 0.02 Watts power. Data using points 100-200 were reported.

Test Results

The test results are shown in Table 12 below.

TABLE 12 Mean Thermal Conductivity Results Mean Thermal ConductivityStandard Deviation Temp. (° C.) (W/m-K) (W/m-K) 21 0.05792 0.00005 930.06680 0.00025

Example 3 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140 polypropylene homopolymer (available from Borealis A/S)was used as the polypropylene base resin. F020HC, available fromBraskem, a polypropylene homopolymer resin, was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ as achemical blowing agent, talc as a nucleation agent, CO₂ as a physicalblowing agent, a slip agent, and COLORTECH® blue-white as a colorant.The colorant can be added to the base resin or to the secondary resinand may be done prior to mixing of the two resins. Percentages were:

81.4% Primary Resin: Borealis WB140 HMS high melt strength homopolymerpolypropylene   15% Secondary Resin: Braskem F020HC homopolymerpolypropylene  0.1% Chemical Blowing Agent: Clariant Hyrocerol CF-40E ™ 0.5% Nucleation Agent: Heritage Plastics HT4HP Talc   1% Colorant:COLORTECH ® blue white   2% Slip agent: AMPACET ™ 102823 Process AidLLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), available from AmpacetCorporation 2.2 lbs/hr CO₂ physical blowing agent introduced into themolten resin

Density of the strip formed ranged from about 0.140 g/cm³ to about 0.180g/cm³.

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was addedthe CO₂ to expand the resin and reduce density. The mixture thus formedwas extruded through a die head into a strip. The strip was then cut andformed into insulative cup.

The carbon dioxide was injected into the resin blend to expand the resinand reduce density. The mixture thus formed was extruded through a diehead into a sheet. The sheet was then cut and formed into a cup.

Example 3 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 3 showedthe material had a density of about 0.1615 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.066 inches (1.6764 mm).

Microwavability

Containers produced using this material were filled with 12 ounces ofroom temperature water and were heated in a FISO™ Microwave Station(1200 Watts) microwave oven for 2.5 minutes without burning or scorchingor other visible effect on the container. In comparison, paper cupsheated in the same microwave oven scorched or burned in less than 90seconds. In comparison, polyethylene terephthalate (PTFE) foam cupsheated in the same microwave oven showed heavy distortion with visibleeffect after 2.5 minutes.

Rigidity

Test Method

Cup samples were at 72° F. (22.2° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the brim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance is0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.066 inches (1.7018), averagedensity of about 0.1615 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 11.5 g,the rigidity of the material is shown below in Tables 13-14.

TABLE 13 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage Unlidded/Unfilled 72° F. 1 0.624 0.650 0.637 2 0.636 0.619 0.6283 0.691 0.649 0.670 4 0.635 0.621 0.628 5 0.610 0.607 0.609 0.634 STDDEV 0.023 3sigma 0.068 High Range 0.702 Low Range 0.567 Lidded/Unfilled72° F. 6 1.202 1.172 1.187 7 1.206 1.162 1.184 8 1.078 1.270 1.174 91.067 1.163 1.115 10 1.164 1.004 1.084 1.149 STD DEV 0.047 3sigma 0.140High Range 1.289 Low Range 1.009 Unlidded/Filled 200° F. 11 0.276 0.2710.274 12 0.297 0.288 0.293 13 0.316 0.306 0.311 14 0.313 0.281 0.297 150.294 0.287 0.291 0.293 STD DEV 0.013 3 sigma 0.040 High Range 0.333 LowRange 0.252 Lidded/Filled 200° F. 16 0.472 0.502 0.487 17 0.472 0.5120.492 18 0.520 0.550 0.535 19 0.518 0.500 0.509 20 0.500 0.528 0.5140.507 STD DEV 0.019 3 sigma 0.057 High Range 0.565 Low Range 0.450Unlidded/Filled 33° F. 21 1.014 1.065 1.040 22 1.017 1.053 1.035 231.063 1.128 1.096 24 1.065 1.038 1.052 25 1.019 1.074 1.047 1.054 STDDEV 0.024 3sigma 0.073 High Range 1.127 Low Range 0.981 lidded/filled33° F. 26 1.726 1.816 1.771 27 1.916 1.972 1.944 28 1.85 1.856 1.853 291.718 1.781 1.750 30 1.789 1.881 1.835 1.831 STD DEV 0.077 3sigma 0.230High Range 2.060 Low Range 1.601

TABLE 14 Summary of Rigidity Test Results in Table 13 Unfilled 70° F.Kg-F Hot Fill 200° F. Ice Water Fill Wall (kilograms-force) Kg-F 33° F.Kg-F Thickness Density Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Unlidded LiddedInches g/cc Test material 0.634 1.149 0.293 0.507 1.054 1.831 0.0660.171Insulation

Hot Test Method

A typical industrial cup insulation test method as follows was used fortemperature testing:

-   -   1. Attach the (cup exterior) surface temperature thermocouple to        the cup with glue.    -   2. Tape attached thermocouple to cup with cellophane tape so        that the thermocouple is in the middle of the cup opposite the        seam.    -   3. Heat water or other aqueous liquid to near boiling, such as        in a microwave.    -   4. Continually stir the hot liquid with a bulb thermometer while        observing the liquid temperature.    -   5. Record thermocouple temperature.    -   6. When the liquid gets to 200° F. (93.3° C.) pour into the cup        to near full.    -   7. Place lid on the cup.    -   8. Record surface temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Density and thickness of the material was measured at the testing spotupon testing completion. The density was about 0.1615 g/cm³. Materialthickness was about 0.066 inches (1.6764 mm). The average cup weight wasabout 11.5 g.

Test Results

A hot liquid at about 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in the cup for about5 minutes. The liquid was able to maintain a temperature of about 192°F. (88.9° C.) after 5 minutes. The temperature of the water inside thecup is shown below in Table 15.

TABLE 15 Summary of Water Temperature Inside the Cup Temperature (° F.)0 1 2 3 4 5 Cup # Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute #1 201.0198.4 196.8 195.0 193.6 192.1 #2 200.8 198.6 196.8 195.5 193.7 192.3 #3199.8 197.4 195.7 194.3 192.9 191.2 #4 199.9 197.3 195.9 194.1 192.6191.0 AVERAGE 200.4 197.9 196.3 194.7 193.2 191.7 STD DEV 0.59 0.65 0.600.62 0.57 0.66

Five minutes after hot liquid introduction, the temperature measured onthe outside surface wall of the cup was about 120.8° F. (49.3° C.),resulting in difference of about 71.2° F. (39.6° C.) compared tointernal water temperature. The maximum temperature over a five-minuteperiod was observed to peak at about 135.5° F. (57.5° C.). The lower thesurface temperature and the higher the internal water temperature, thebetter the insulative property of the cup material as the materialminimizes heat transfer between the liquid and the exterior of the cupmaterial. With a density of about 0.1615 g/cm³, a wall thickness ofabout 0.066 inches, and a cup weight of about 11.5 g, the cup surfacetemperature and water temperature data are shown in FIGS. 11-12.

Cold Test Method

A typical industrial cup insulation test method as follows was used fortemperature testing:

-   -   1. Refrigerate overnight ice pitcher with water    -   2. Attach the (cup exterior) surface temperature thermocouple to        cup with glue.    -   3. Tape attached thermocouple to cup with cellophane tape so        that the thermocouple is in the middle of the cup opposite the        seam.    -   4. Take out refrigerated overnight ice pitcher with water    -   5. Observe the liquid temperature with a bulb thermometer    -   6. Record thermocouple temperature.    -   7. Pour refrigerated liquid (32.5° F.) into cup to near full.    -   8. Place lid on cup.    -   9. Record surface temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Density and thickness of the material was measured at the testing spotof upon testing completion. The density was about 0.1615 g/cm³. Materialthickness was about 0.066 inches (1.6764 mm). The average cup weight wasabout 11.5 g.

Test Results

A cold liquid at about 32.5° F. (0.28° C.) was placed in the cup forabout 10 minutes. The liquid was able to maintain a temperature of about33.7° F. (0.94° C.) after 10 minutes. The temperature of the waterinside the cup is shown below in Table 16.

TABLE 16 Summary of Water Temperature Inside the Cup Temperature (° F.)0 2 4 6 8 10 Cup # Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute #1 32.8532.85 32.97 33.12 33.23 33.34 #2 33.01 33.28 33.85 34.11 34.72 35.02 #333.56 32.58 32.62 32.66 32.72 32.77 AVERAGE 32.81 32.9 33.15 33.30 33.5633.71 STD DEV 0.23 0.35 0.63 0.74 1.04 1.17

Ten minutes after cold liquid introduction, the temperature measured onthe outside surface wall of the cup was about 51.9° F. (11.06° C.),resulting in difference of about 18.2° F. (10.12° C.) compared tointernal water temperature. The minimum temperature over a ten-minuteperiod was observed to bottom out at about 50.5° F. (10.28° C.). Thehigher the surface temperature and the lower the internal watertemperature, the better the insulative property of the cup material asthe material minimizes heat transfer between the exterior of the cupmaterial and the liquid. With a density of about 0.1615 g/cm³, a wallthickness of about 0.066 inches, and a cup weight of about 11.5 g, thecup surface temperature and water temperature data is shown below inFIGS. 13-14.

Example 4 Process for Formation of a Tray

A sheet of material as disclosed herein can be made by a single ordouble lamination process.

The sheet was laminated (can be done on one or both sides) with castpolypropylene film about 0.002 inches thick, set up in an off-linethermoforming process, (although an in-line process is also possible).

Roll stock was loaded on the machine. Roll stock was fed into an ovenwhere the material was heated in the oven to provide proper formingconditions. Matched (male-female) metal tooling formed the heated sheetto the desired dimensions. Matched metal tooling was used to createdefinition on core and cavity sides of the part. Process variables, suchas vacuum and form air, may or may not be used. The sheet thus formedwas trimmed. Trimming can be done in mold, or post trimmed. The tray inthis Example 4 was post trimmed, where the formed article remained inthe web, as it continued to a trim press where it was trimmed from theweb. FIG. 15 shows a tray that was formed in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

Frangibility

Frangibility can be defined as resistance to tear or punctures causingfragmentation.

Test Method

The Elmendorf test method described in ASTM D1922-93 was used. Theradius of tear was 1.7 inches (43.18 mm).

Test Results

The test results are shown in Tables 17-18 below. The material as formedin one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides superiorresistance to tear forces in both foam side-top and foam side-bottomorientations when compared to EPS.

TABLE 17 Test Results Machine Direction (gram force) TransverseDirection (gram force) Test Test Test Test Test std Test Test Test TestTest std Tag 1 2 3 4 5 mean dev. 1 2 3 4 5 mean dev. Test 243 277 246293 304 273 27 205 178 258 227 227 219 30 Material (Top) Test 312 296274 296 312 298 16 266 213 219 219 189 221 28 Material (Bottom) EPS 108114 112 116 110 112 3 *

TABLE 18 Summary of Test Results Test Sample material cup Tear StrengthID → (mean) Elmendorf Tear machine direction g (gram) 1600 (MD) Arm[Top] Elmendorf Tear MD [Top] gf (gram force) 273 Elmendorf Tear machinedirection g 1600 (MD) Arm [Bottom] Elmendorf Tear MD [Bottom] gf 298Elmendorf Tear transverse direction g 1600 (TD) Arm [Top] Elmendorf TearTD [Top] gf 219 Elmendorf Tear transverse direction g 1600 (TD) Arm[Bottom] Elmendorf Tear TD [Bottom] gf 221 Expanded polystyrene TearStrength (mean) Elmendorf Tear Arm 800 Elmendorf Tear 112

Note that there were no data obtained for the transverse direction testfor expanded polystyrene because expanded polystyrene does not have amaterial orientation, i.e., a machine or transverse direction, due tothe manufacturing process. The lamination as formed in one exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure provided unexpected tear resistanceto the material. The range (calculated as: lower range=mean−(3×std dev);upper range=mean+(3×std dev)) for the tested material was about 191grams-force to about 354 grams-force in the machine direction and about129 grams-force to about 308 grams-force in the transverse direction fortop foam orientation. The range for the tested material was about 251grams-force to about 345 grams-force in the machine direction and about138 grams-force to about 305 grams-force in the transverse direction forbottom foam orientation. In comparison, the range of the expandedpolystyrene material tested was about 103 grams-force to about 121grams-force.

Puncture Resistance

Test Method

Determine the force and travel needed to puncture cup sidewall andbottom. An Instron instrument was used in compression mode set to 10inches (254 mm) per minute travel speed. The cup puncture test fixtureon base of Instron was used. This fixture allows the cup to fit over ashape that fits inside the cup with a top surface that is perpendicularto the travel of the Instron tester. The one inch diameter hole of thefixture should be positioned up. The portion of the Instron that movesshould be fitted with a 0.300 inch (7.62 mm) diameter punch. The punchwith the hole was aligned in the test fixture. The cup was placed overthe fixture and the force and travel needed to puncture the cup sidewallwas recorded. The sidewall puncture test was repeated in three evenlyspaced locations while not puncture testing on the seam of the cup. Thebottom of the cup was tested. This should be done in the same manner asthe sidewall test except no fixture is used. The cup was just placedupside down on the base of the Instron while bringing the punch down onthe center of the cup bottom.

Test Results

Results of the typical sidewall puncture and the bottom puncture areshown in Table 19 below.

TABLE 19 Puncture Test Results Cavity # Max Load (lbf) Ext. @ Max Load(in) Expanded polystyrene 3.79 0.300 Tested insulative 22.18 0.292cellular non-aromatic polymeric material (no rim)Slow Puncture Resistance—Straw

Test Method

The material as formed provides superior resistance in both side-top andside-bottom to punctures when compared to expanded polystyrene using theSlow Puncture Resistance Test Method as described in ASTM D-3763-86. Thematerial as formed has unexpected slow puncture resistance due tolamination and orientation of film. The test results are shown in Tables20-23 below.

Test Results

TABLE 20 Peak Elongation At Specimen # Load g(f) Break (mm) TestedMaterial Foam side-top 1 16610.63 — 2 15583.21 12 3 15412.19 — 416523.27 13 5 16077.38 — Mean 16041.33 12 Std. Dev. 539.29 0 TestedMaterial Foam side-bottom 1 15394.69 12 2 17044.93 — 3 15714.92 13 413533.55 — 5 11755.70 — 6 15988.77 — Mean 14905.43 12 Std. Dev. 1920.861

TABLE 21 Comparison: Expanded Polystyrene Peak Elongation At Specimen #Load g(f) Break (mm) 1 2936.73 — 2 2870.07 10 3 2572.62 — 4 2632.44 — 52809.70 — 6 2842.93 — 7 2654.55 — 8 2872.96 — 9 2487.63 — 10 2866.53 —11 2803.25 — 12 2775.22 — 13 2834.28 — 14 2569.97 — Mean 2752.06 10 Std.Dev. 140.42 —

TABLE 22 Paper Wrapped Expanded Polystyrene Peak Elongation At Specimen# Load g(f) Break (mm) 1 7930.61 — 2 10044.30 — 3 9849.01 — 4 8711.44 —5 9596.79 — 6 9302.99 — 7 10252.27 — 8 7785.64 — 9 8437.28 — 10 6751.98— 11 9993.19 — Mean 8968.68 — Std. Dev. 1134.68 —

TABLE 23 Summary of Slow Puncture-Straw Test Results in Tables 20-22Tested insulative Tested insulative Expanded Paper wrapped cellularnon-aromatic cellular non-aromatic polystyrene expanded polymericmaterial polymeric material cup, (mean) polystyrene Sample cup, foamside top foam side bottom (mean) grams-force (mean) ID → (mean)grams-force (gf) grams-force (gf) (g0 grams-force (gf) Avg gf: 1604114,905 2752 8969Dart Drop

Test Method

The material as formed provides superior resistance to punctures asdescribed in ASTM D-1709. The dart impact value is a measure of the masswhich is required to produce a 50% failure when the dart is dropped from26 inches. The test result is shown in Table 24 below.

Test Results

TABLE 24 Dart Drop (26 inches) Cavity # Drop Mass (g) Tested insulativecellular non- 87 aromatic polymeric material cup, foam side top (mean)grams

Example 5 Formation

Material was made according to the process described in Example 3hereinabove. The samples were labeled Sample A and Sample B foridentification.

Sample A was the material itself.

Sample B was the material to which a printed film had been laminated asfollows.

The film was composed of three layers: a core layer and two skin layers.The core layer was polypropylene based and comprised 90% of the film.The two skin layers were a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene andeach skin layer made up 5% of the film. The film was printed using aprinting ink that was a reverse printed solvent-based ink on aflexographic system.

The film was laminated to the sheet formed in Example 1 as follows. A0.7 μm thick film was coated with 1.5 lbs per ream of solventlessadhesive. The adhesive was composed of 2 parts urethane and 1 partisocyanate epoxy adhesive. The coated film was nipped to the materialformed in Example 1. Lamination can be done by various processes, suchas, but not limited to, flexo and winding roller systems.

Example 5 Test Results

Cell Size

The material formed in Example 5 had an average cell size in the crossdirection (CD) of 18.45 mils height by 8.28 mils width. The aspect ratiowas 2.23. The average cell size in the machine direction (DD) was 19.54mils height by 8.53 mils width. The aspect ratio was 2.53.

Thermal Conductivity

The bulk Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) of two samples was measured at 21°C. and 93° C. A ThermTest TPS 2500 S Thermal Constants Analyzer(available from ThermTest, Inc.) was the instrument chosen for all bulkthermal conductivity measurements. The TPS 2500 S analyzer meets the ISOStandard ISO/DIS 22007-2.2.

There were four stock sheets included for Sample A and two stock sheetsincluded for Sample B. Sample A had a nominal thickness of 1.8 mm andSample B had a nominal thickness of 2.0 mm. Briefly, the basic principleof the TPS analyzer system is the sample surrounds the TPS sensor in alldirections and the heat evolved in the sensor freely diffuses in alldirections. The solution to the thermal conductivity equation assumesthe sensor is in an infinite medium, so the measurement and analysis ofdata must account for the limitation created by sample boundaries.

Each foam sample was layered to increase the available sample thicknessand allow for optimal measurement parameters. For Sample A, 12 samplepieces were cut approximately 50 mm square and 6 layers were used oneach side of the TPS sensor. For Sample B, 8 sample pieces were cutapproximately 50 mm square and 4 layers were used on each side of theTPS sensor.

To measure the layered foam samples the Low Density/High InsulatingAnalysis Method was used. This method is useful for determining the bulkthermal conductivity of low density/high insulating materials in theorder of magnitude of 0.1 W/m·K (and lower). The smaller TPS sensorswere calibrated to correct for heat losses through the connecting wiresand, as a result, bulk thermal conductivity results are accurate andconsistent with the TPS System regardless of TPS sensor used. For thecalibration of the TPS sensor used for these measurements, acharacterized extruded polystyrene sample was measured with TPS sensor#5501 (6.403 mm radius). The sensor specific calibration coefficient wasfound to be 0.000198. The experimental setup was placed in the chamberof a Cascade™ TEK Model TFO-1 forced air lab oven. The chambertemperature was monitored with the onboard Watlow “ramp & soakcontroller.” A relaxation period of 60 minutes was implemented to ensurethe foam samples were isothermal. Interfacial temperatures were checkedby running preliminary TPS measurements to confirm isothermal stability.Multiple measurements were made on each sample at each temperature toconfirm reproducibility.

Measurements were made using the TPS Standard Analysis Method and theLow Density/High Insulating option. TPS sensor #5501 (6.403 mm radius)with KAPTON® insulation was used. A 40 second test and 0.02 Watts ofpower were determined to be optimal test parameters.

The test results are shown in Tables 25 and 26 below.

TABLE 25 Sample A-Bulk Thermal Conductivity Results Sample Temperature(21° C.) Temperature (93° C.) Bulk thermal conductivity 0.05143 0.06391(W/m · K) 0.05153 0.06398 0.05125 0.06375 0.05130 0.06396 0.051310.06385 Mean (W/m · K) 0.05136 0.06389 Standard Deviation (W/m · K)0.00010 0.00008 RSD (%) 0.20 0.1

TABLE 26 Sample B-Bulk Thermal Conductivity Results Sample Temperature(21° C.) Temperature (93° C.) Bulk thermal conductivity 0.05343 0.06520(W/m · K) 0.05316 0.06514 0.05322 0.06511 0.05315 0.06513 0.053090.06520 Mean (W/m · K) 0.05321 0.06516 Standard Deviation (W/m · K)0.00012 0.00004 RSD (%) 0.22 0.06

Example 6 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140 HMS polypropylene homopolymer (available from BorealisA/S) was used as the polypropylene base resin. PP 527K, a polypropylenehomopolymer resin (available from Sabic), was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ (availablefrom Clariant Corporation) as a primary nucleation agent, talc as asecondary nucleation agent, CO₂ as a blowing agent, Ampacet™ 102823LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), (available from AmpacetCorporation) as a slip agent, and titanium dioxide as a colorant. Thecolorant can be added to the base resin or to the secondary resin andmay be done prior to mixing of the two resins. Percentages were:

76.45% Primary resin   20% Secondary resin  0.05% Primary nucleatingagent  0.5% Secondary nucleating agent    1% Colorant    2% Slip agent

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was added

2.2 lbs/hr CO₂

The carbon dioxide was injected into the resin blend to expand the resinand reduce density. The mixture thus formed was extruded through a diehead into a sheet. The sheet was then cut and formed into a cup.

Example 6 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 6 showedthe material had a density of about 0.164 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm).

Rigidity

Test Method

Samples were at 73° F. (22.8° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the rim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance was0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm),average density of about 0.164 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about10.6 g, the rigidity of the material are shown below in Tables 27-28.

TABLE 27 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage unlidded/unfilled 1 0.670 0.712 0.691 2 0.729 0.649 0.689 30.721 0.737 0.729 4 0.678 0.689 0.684 5 0.696 0.713 0.705 0.700 STD DEV0.018 3sigma 0.055 High Range 0.754 Low Range 0.645 lidded/unfilled 61.263 1.355 1.309 7 1.313 1.322 1.318 8 1.279 1.327 1.303 9 1.334 1.3661.350 10 1.320 1.290 1.305 1.317 STD DEV 0.019 3sigma 0.058 High Range1.375 Low Range 1.259 unlidded/filled 200° F. 11 0.319 0.287 0.303 120.298 0.286 0.292 13 0.300 0.296 0.298 14 0.310 0.299 0.305 15 0.3020.279 0.291 0.298 STD DEV 0.006 3sigma 0.019 High Range 0.316 Low Range0.279 lidded/filled 200° F. 16 0.428 0.414 0.421 17 0.413 0.399 0.406 180.392 0.393 0.393 19 0.359 0.398 0.379 20 0.386 0.382 0.384 0.396 STDDEV 0.017 3sigma 0.052 High Range 0.448 Low Range 0.345 lidded/filledice water 21 1.784 1.754 1.769 22 1.721 1.724 1.723 23 1.745 1.801 1.77324 1.677 1.733 1.705 25 1.641 1.741 1.691 1.732 STD DEV 0.037 3sigma0.112 High Range 1.844 Low Range 1.620

TABLE 28 Summary of Rigidity Test Results of Tables 27A-E Unfilled Kg-FHot Fill 200° F. Ice Water Fill Wall (kilograms-force) Kg-F 35° F. Kg-FThickness Density Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Lidded Inches g/ccTest material 0.700 1.317 0.298 0.396 1.732 0.067 0.1636Insulation

Test Method

A typical industrial cup insulation test method as follows was used:

-   -   Attach the (cup exterior) surface temperature thermocouple to        the cup with glue.    -   Tape attached thermocouple to the cup with cellophane tape so        that the thermocouple is in the middle of the cup opposite the        seam.    -   Heat water or other aqueous liquid to near boiling, such as in a        microwave.    -   Continually stir the hot liquid with a bulb thermometer while        observing the liquid temperature.    -   Record thermocouple temperature.    -   When the liquid gets to 200° F. (93.3° C.) pour into the cup to        near full.    -   Place lid on the cup.    -   Record surface temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Test Results

A cup formed from the formulation noted above was used having an averagewall thickness of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm), average density ofabout 0.164 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 10.6 g. A hot liquidat 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in the cup.

Test Results

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup after 5 minuteswas about 139.2° F. (59.5° C.) resulting in drop of about 60.8° F.(33.8° C.), as seen in FIG. 16. The maximum temperature over afive-minute period was observed to peak at about 143.2° F. (61.8° C.),as seen in FIG. 16. The lower the temperature, the better the insulationproperty of the cup material as the material reduces the heattransferring from the liquid to the cup material exterior.

Example 7 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140HMS polypropylene homopolymer (available from BorealisA/S) was used as the polypropylene base resin. PP 527K, a polypropylenehomopolymer resin (available from Sabic), was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ (availablefrom Clariant Corporation) as a primary nucleation agent, talc as asecondary nucleation agent, CO₂ as a blowing agent, Ampacet™ 102823LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), (available from AmpacetCorporation) as a slip agent, and titanium dioxide as a colorant. Thecolorant can be added to the base resin or to the secondary resin andmay be done prior to mixing of the two resins. Percentages were:

56.45% Primary resin   40% Secondary resin  0.05% Primary nucleatingagent  0.5% Secondary nucleating agent    1% Colorant    2% Slip agent

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was added

2.2 lbs/hr CO₂

The carbon dioxide was injected into the resin blend to expand the resinand reduce density. The mixture thus formed was extruded through a diehead into a sheet. The sheet was then cut and formed into a cup.

Example 7 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 7 showedthe material had a density of about 0.166 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm).

Rigidity

Test Method

Samples were at 73° F. (22.8° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the rim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance is0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm),average density of about 0.166 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about10.6 g, the rigidity of the material are shown below in Tables 29-30.

TABLE 29 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage unlidded/unfilled 1 0.715 0.764 0.740 2 0.723 0.771 0.747 30.742 0.761 0.752 4 0.784 0.776 0.780 5 0.739 0.767 0.753 0.754 STD DEV0.015 3sigma 0.046 High Range 0.800 Low Range 0.708 unlidded/filled 200°F. 6 0.343 0.326 0.335 7 0.355 0.336 0.346 8 0.339 0.327 0.333 9 0.3430.350 0.347 10 0.325 0.328 0.327 0.337 STD DEV 0.009 3sigma 0.026 HighRange 0.363 Low Range 0.311 lidded/filled 200° F. 11 0.437 0.438 0.43812 0.479 0.408 0.444 13 0.423 0.446 0.435 14 0.448 0.432 0.440 15 0.4430.464 0.454 0.442 STD DEV 0.007 3sigma 0.022 High Range 0.464 Low Range0.420

TABLE 30 Summary of Rigidity Test Results of Tables 29A-C Unfilled Kg-FHot Fill Wall (kilograms-force) 200° F. Kg-F Thickness Density UnliddedUnlidded Lidded Inches g/cc Test 0.754 0.337 0.442 0.067 0.166 materialInsulation

Test Method

A typical industrial cup insulation test method as follows was used:

-   -   Attach the (cup exterior) surface temperature thermocouple to        the cup with glue.    -   Tape attached thermocouple to the cup with cellophane tape so        that the thermocouple is in the middle of the cup opposite the        seam.    -   Heat water or other aqueous liquid to near boiling, such as in a        microwave.    -   Continually stir the hot liquid with a bulb thermometer while        observing the liquid temperature.    -   Record thermocouple temperature.    -   When the liquid gets to 200° F. (93.3° C.) pour into the cup to        near full.    -   Place lid on the cup.    -   Record surface temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Test Results

A cup formed from the formulation noted above was used having an averagewall thickness of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm), average density ofabout 0.166 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 10.6 g. A hot liquidat 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in the cup.

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup after 5 minuteswas about 144.3° F. (62.4° C.) resulting in drop of about 55.7° F.(30.9° C.), as seen in FIG. 17. The maximum temperature over afive-minute period was observed to peak at about 148.1° F. (64.5° C.),as seen in FIG. 17. The lower the temperature, the better the insulationproperty of the cup material as the material reduces the heattransferring from the liquid to the cup material exterior.

Example 8 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140 HMS polypropylene homopolymer (available from BorealisA/S) was used as the polypropylene base resin. F020HC polypropylenehomopolymer resin (available from Braskem), was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ as aprimary nucleation agent, HPR-803i fibers (available from Milliken) as asecondary nucleation agent, CO₂ as a blowing agent, Ampacet™ 102823LLDPE as a slip agent, and titanium dioxide as a colorant. The colorantcan be added to the base resin or to the secondary resin and may be doneprior to mixing of the two resins. Percentages were:

80.95% Primary resin   15% Secondary resin  0.05% Primary nucleatingagent    1% Secondary nucleating agent    1% Colorant    2% Slip agent

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was added

2.2 lbs/hr CO₂

The carbon dioxide was injected into the resin blend to expand the resinand reduce density. The mixture thus formed was extruded through a diehead into a sheet. The sheet was then cut and formed into a cup.

Example 8 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 8 showedthe material had a density of about 0.166 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm).

Rigidity

Test Method

Samples were at 73° F. (22.8° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the rim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance is0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm),average density of about 0.166 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about10.6 g, the rigidity of the material are shown below in Tables 31-32.

TABLE 31 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage unlidded/unfilled 1 0.814 0.796 0.805 2 0.725 0.732 0.729 30.713 0.720 0.717 4 0.717 0.718 0.718 5 0.698 0.741 0.720 0.737 STD DEV0.038 3sigma 0.114 High Range 0.852 Low Range 0.623 lidded/unfilled 61.392 1.402 1.397 7 1.461 1.477 1.469 8 1.391 1.406 1.399 9 1.414 1.4641.439 10 1.472 1.411 1.442 1.429 STD DEV 0.031 3sigma 0.093 High Range1.522 Low Range 1.336 unlidded/filled 200° F. 11 0.315 0.310 0.313 120.264 0.338 0.301 13 0.333 0.311 0.322 14 0.325 0.313 0.319 15 0.3140.301 0.308 0.312 STD DEV 0.009 3sigma 0.026 High Range 0.338 Low Range0.287 lidded/filled 200° F. 16 0.445 0.473 0.459 17 0.459 0.445 0.452 180.441 0.442 0.442 19 0.472 0.472 0.472 20 0.429 0.453 0.441 0.453 STDDEV 0.013 3sigma 0.039 High Range 0.492 Low Range 0.414 lidded/filledice water 21 1.738 1.833 1.786 22 1.791 1.777 1.784 23 1.764 1.892 1.82824 1.880 1.997 1.939 25 1.775 1.833 1.804 1.828 STD DEV 0.064 3sigma0.193 High Range 2.021 Low Range 1.635

TABLE 32 Summary of Rigidity Test Results of Tables 31A-E Unfilled Kg-FHot Fill 200° F. Ice Water Fill Wall (kilograms-force) Kg-F 35° F. Kg-FThickness Density Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Lidded Inches g/ccTest material 0.737 1.429 0.312 0.453 1.828 0.067 0.166Insulation

Test Method

A typical industrial cup insulation test method as follows was used:

-   -   Attach the (cup exterior) surface temperature thermocouple to        the cup with glue.    -   Tape attached thermocouple to cup with cellophane tape so that        the thermocouple is in the middle of the cup opposite the seam.    -   Heat water or other aqueous liquid to near boiling, such as in a        microwave.    -   Continually stir the hot liquid with a bulb thermometer while        observing the liquid temperature.    -   Record thermocouple temperature.    -   When the liquid gets to 200° F. (93.3° C.) pour into the cup to        near full.    -   Place lid on the cup.    -   Record surface temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes.

A cup formed from the formulation noted above was used having an averagewall thickness of about 0.067 inches (1.7018 mm), average density ofabout 0.166 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 10.6 g. A hot liquidat 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in the cup.

Test Results

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup after 5 minuteswas about 144.8° F. (62.7° C.) resulting in drop of about 55.2° F.(30.6° C.), as seen in FIG. 18. The maximum temperature over afive-minute period was observed to peak at about 149.1° F. (65.1° C.),as seen in FIG. 18. The lower the temperature, the better the insulationproperty of the cup material as the material reduces the heattransferring from the liquid to the cup material exterior.

Example 9 Formulation and Extrusion

Example 9 utilizes the same formulation and extrusion method asdescribed in Example 3 hereinabove.

Example 9 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 9 showedthe material had a density of about 0.160 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.058 inches (1.473 mm).

Rigidity

Test Method

Samples were at 73° F. (22.8° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the rim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance is0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.058 inches (1.473 mm), averagedensity of about 0.160 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 9.9 g, therigidity of the material are shown below in Tables 33-34.

TABLE 33 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage unlidded/unfilled 1 0.737 0.680 0.709 2 0.602 0.596 0.599 30.620 0.585 0.603 4 0.637 0.611 0.624 5 0.585 0.613 0.599 0.627 STD DEV0.047 3sigma 0.141 High Range 0.767 Low Range 0.486 lidded/unfilled 61.378 1.321 1.350 7 1.255 1.401 1.328 8 1.286 1.390 1.338 9 1.279 1.2441.262 10 1.337 1.378 1.358 1.327 STD DEV 0.038 3sigma 0.115 High Range1.442 Low Range 1.212 unlidded/filled 200° F. 11 0.286 0.274 0.280 120.301 0.280 0.291 13 0.298 0.277 0.288 14 0.303 0.276 0.290 15 0.2940.269 0.282 0.286 STD DEV 0.005 3sigma 0.014 High Range 0.300 Low Range0.272 lidded/filled 200° F. 16 0.355 0.367 0.361 17 0.447 0.409 0.428 180.398 0.385 0.392 19 0.379 0.377 0.378 20 0.390 0.366 0.378 0.387 STDDEV 0.025 3sigma 0.076 High Range 0.463 Low Range 0.312 lidded/filledice water 21 1.764 1.686 1.725 22 1.702 1.712 1.707 23 1.772 1.847 1.81024 1.700 1.810 1.755 25 1.710 1.831 1.771 1.753 STD DEV 0.040 3sigma0.120 High Range 1.873 Low Range 1.633

TABLE 34 Summary of Rigidity Test Results of Tables 33A-E Unfilled Kg-FHot Fill 200° F. Ice Water Fill Wall (kilograms-force) Kg-F 35° F. Kg-FThickness Density Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Lidded Inches g/ccTest material 0.627 1.327 0.286 0.387 1.753 0.067 0.1636Insulation

Test Method

The test method used to test for insulation was as described hereinabovein Example 3 insulation test method.

A cup formed from the formulation noted above was used having an averagewall thickness of about 0.058 inches (1.473 mm), average density ofabout 0.160 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 9.9 g. A hot liquidat 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in the cup.

Test Results

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup after 5 minuteswas about 142.1° F. (61.2° C.) resulting in drop of about 57.9° F.(32.1° C.), as seen in FIG. 19. The maximum temperature over afive-minute period was observed to peak at about 146.0° F. (63.3° C.),as seen in FIG. 19. The lower the temperature, the better the insulationproperty of the cup material as the material reduces the heattransferring from the liquid to the cup material exterior.

Example 10 Formulation and Extrusion

Example 10 utilizes the same formulation and extrusion method asdescribed in Example 3 hereinabove.

Example 10 Test Results

The test results of the material formed according to Example 10 showedthe material had a density of about 0.186 g/cm³ and a nominal sheetgauge of about 0.065 inches (1.651 mm).

Rigidity

Test Method

Samples were at 73° F. (22.8° C.) and 50% relative humidity. The CupStiffness/Rigidity test was conducted with a horizontal force gaugecontaining a load cell to measure the resisting force of the cup whenexposed to the following test conditions: (a) The test location on thecup was ⅓ down from the rim of the cup; (b) testing travel distance is0.25 inches (6.35 mm); and (c) testing travel time was 10 seconds.

Test Results

With an average wall thickness of about 0.065 inches (1.651 mm), averagedensity of about 0.186 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 11.9 g,the rigidity of the material are shown below in Tables 35-36.

TABLE 35 Rigidity Test Results Rigidity (kg-F) Cup # Seam 90° from SeamAverage unlidded/unfilled 1 0.716 0.758 0.737 2 0.708 0.796 0.752 30.724 0.764 0.744 4 0.730 0.735 0.733 5 0.731 0.737 0.734 0.740 STD DEV0.008 3sigma 0.024 High Range 0.764 Low Range 0.716 lidded/unfilled 61.372 1.420 1.396 7 1.311 1.326 1.319 8 1.404 1.341 1.373 9 1.352 1.3521.352 10 1.377 1.371 1.374 1.363 STD DEV 0.029 3sigma 0.087 High Range1.450 Low Range 1.275 unlidded/filled 200° F. 11 0.310 0.309 0.310 120.338 0.305 0.322 13 0.326 0.313 0.320 14 0.315 0.326 0.321 15 0.3130.306 0.310 0.316 STD DEV 0.006 3sigma 0.018 High Range 0.334 Low Range0.298 lidded/filled 200° F. 16 0.434 0.404 0.419 17 0.428 0.392 0.410 180.416 0.428 0.422 19 0.408 0.426 0.417 20 0.440 0.429 0.435 0.421 STDDEV 0.009 3sigma 0.027 High Range 0.447 Low Range 0.394 lidded/filledice water 21 1.934 1.884 1.909 22 1.849 1.884 1.867 23 1.822 1.902 1.86224 1.806 1.948 1.877 25 1.783 1.896 1.840 1.871 STD DEV 0.025 3sigma0.076 High Range 1.947 Low Range 1.795

TABLE 36 Summary of Rigidity Test Results of Tables 35A-E Unfilled Kg-FHot Fill 200° F. Ice Water Fill Wall (kilograms-force) Kg-F 35° F. Kg-FThickness Density Unlidded Lidded Unlidded Lidded Lidded Inches g/ccTest material 0.740 1.363 0.316 0.421 1.871 0.065 0.186Insulation

Test Method

The test method used to test for insulation is as described in Example 3insulation test method hereinabove.

Test Results

A cup formed from the formulation noted above was used having an averagewall thickness of about 0.065 inches (1.651 mm), average density ofabout 0.186 g/cm³, and average cup weight of about 11.9 g. A hot liquidat 200° F. (93.3° C.) was placed in the cup.

The temperature measured on the outside wall of the cup after 5 minuteswas about 144.5° F. (62.5° C.) resulting in drop of about 55.5° F.(30.8° C.), as seen in FIG. 20. The maximum temperature over afive-minute period was observed to peak at about 149.1° F. (65.1° C.),as seen in FIG. 20. The lower the temperature, the better the insulationproperty of the cup material as the material reduces the heattransferring from the liquid to the cup material exterior.

Example 11 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140 polypropylene homopolymer (available from Borealis A/S)was used as the polypropylene base resin. F020HC, available fromBraskem, a polypropylene homopolymer resin, was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ as achemical blowing agent, talc as a nucleation agent, CO₂ as a physicalblowing agent, a slip agent, and Ampacet blue-white as a colorant. Thecolorant can be added to the base resin or to the secondary resin andmay be done prior to mixing of the two resins. Percentages were:

80.20% Primary Resin: Borealis WB140 HMS high melt strength homopolymerpolypropylene   15% Secondary Resin: Braskem F020HC homopolymerpolypropylene  0.1% Chemical Blowing Agent: Clariant Hyrocerol CF-40E ™ 1.4% Nucleation Agent: Heritage Plastics HT4HP Talc  0.8% Colorant:AMPACET ™ J11  2.5% Slip agent: AMPACET ™ 102823 9.8 lbs/hr CO₂ physicalblowing agent introduced into the molten resin

The formulation was added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heated theformulation to form a molten resin mixture. To this mixture was addedthe CO₂ to expand the resin and reduce density. The mixture thus formedwas extruded through a die head into a strip. The strip was then cut andformed into insulative cup.

The carbon dioxide was injected into the resin blend to expand the resinand reduce density. The mixture thus formed was extruded through a diehead into a sheet. The sheet was then cut and formed into a cup.

Example 12 Formulation and Extrusion

DAPLOY™ WB 140 polypropylene homopolymer (available from Borealis A/S)was used as the polypropylene base resin. F020HC, available fromBraskem, a polypropylene homopolymer resin, was used as the secondaryresin. The two resins were blended with: Hydrocerol™ CF-40E™ as achemical blowing agent (CBA), talc as a nucleation agent, CO₂ as aphysical blowing agent, a slip agent, and Ampacet blue-white as acolorant. The colorant can be added to the base resin or to thesecondary resin and may be done prior to mixing of the two resins.Percentages were:

Formulation A Formulation B Formulation C Primary Resin 86.29% 86.77%86.47% Secondary Resin   10%   10%   10% CBA  0.11%  0.13%  0.13% Talc   1%  0.6%  0.8% Colorant    1%  0.5%  0.6% Slip Agent    2%    2%   2% CO₂ 9.8 lbs/hr 9.8 lbs/hr 9.8 lbs/hr

The formulations were added to an extruder hopper. The extruder heatedthe formulations to form a molten resin mixture. To each mixture wasadded the CO₂ to expand the resin and reduce density. The mixtures thusformed were extruded through a die head into a strip. The strips werethen cut and formed into insulative cups.

The carbon dioxide was injected into the resin blend to expand the resinand reduce density. The mixtures thus formed were extruded through a diehead into a sheet. The sheets were then cut and formed into a cup.

Although only a number of exemplary embodiments have been described indetail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods, equipment, and systems. These and other components aredisclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets,interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed whilespecific reference of each various individual and collectivecombinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed,each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods,equipment and systems. This applies to all aspects of this applicationincluding, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, ifthere are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it isunderstood that each of these additional steps can be performed with anyspecific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosedmethods.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope or spirit of the present disclosure. Other embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only.

It should further be noted that any publications and brochures referredto herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An insulative material comprising a primarybase resin, a secondary base resin, a slip agent, a chemical blowingagent, and a nucleating agent, wherein the primary base resin is a firsthomopolymeric polypropylene that is about 50-99.9 wt % of the insulativematerial, the slip agent is up to about 10 wt % of the insulativematerial, the chemical blowing agent is up to about 10 wt % of theinsulative material, the nucleating agent is about 0.5 10 wt % of theinsulative material, and the secondary base resin comprises an impactpolypropylene copolymer, wherein the insulative material isnon-aromatic, cellular, and has a density of about 0.01 g/cm³ to about0.19 g/cm³.
 2. The insulative material of claim 1, wherein the secondarybase resin is up to about 15 wt % of the insulative material.
 3. Theinsulative material of claim 1, wherein the secondary base resin is upto about 30 wt % of the insulative material.
 4. The insulative materialof claim 1, wherein the insulative material does not comprise anethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer.
 5. The insulative material ofclaim 1, wherein the primary and secondary base resins combined areabout 95 to 98 wt % of the insulative material.
 6. The insulativematerial of claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary base resinscombined are about 96 wt % to about 97 wt % of the insulative material.7. The insulative material of claim 6, wherein the secondary base resinis up to about 10 wt % of the insulative material.
 8. The insulativematerial of claim 1, wherein the insulative material has a density ofabout 0.05 g/cm³ to about 0.19 g/cm³.
 9. The insulative material ofclaim 1, wherein the insulative material has a density of about 0.155g/cm³ to about 0.19 g/cm³.
 10. The insulative material of claim 1,wherein the insulative material has a density of about 0.1902 g/cm³. 11.The insulative material of claim 1, wherein the slip agent is about 1 to3 wt % of the insulative material.
 12. The insulative material of claim1, wherein the nucleating agent is about 0.5 to 5 wt % of the insulativematerial.
 13. The insulative material of claim 1, wherein the nucleatingagent is selected from the group consisting of a chemical nucleatingagent, a physical nucleating agent, and a combination of a chemicalnucleating agent and a physical nucleating agent.
 14. The insulativematerial of claim 1, wherein the first homopolymeric polypropylenecomprises long chain branching.
 15. The insulative material of claim 1,further comprising a colorant.
 16. The insulative material of claim 15,wherein the colorant is about 0 to 10 wt % of the insulative material.17. The insulative material of claim 1, wherein the secondary base resinfurther comprises a second polypropylene homopolymer.
 18. The insulativematerial of claim 1, wherein the secondary base resin is up to about 50wt % of the insulative material.
 19. The insulative material of claim17, wherein the second polypropylene homopolymer is a high crystallinitypolypropylene.
 20. The insulative material of claim 19, wherein thecrystalline phase of high crystallinity polypropylene exceeds 51% at 10°C./min cooling rate as tested using differential scanning calorimetry.